PM Modi to unveil Rs 3,350 crore projects in Ladakh, including Leh airport terminal tomorrow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and dedicate to the nation five major development projects worth approximately Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh on Thursday, October 15, including a new passenger terminal at Leh airport and a strategically important road connecting the Union Territory with Himachal Pradesh.

The Prime Minister will launch the projects through video conferencing at around 12.30 pm and address a gathering on the occasion, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. The initiatives cover airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, hydropower generation, electricity transmission, archaeological conservation and water security, with the government seeking to strengthen essential infrastructure in the strategically important Himalayan region. In a post on X, Modi said the projects would improve connectivity, accelerate development, preserve Ladakh's cultural heritage and enhance the quality of life of residents.

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗲𝗵 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝟯𝟱 𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀

Among the major projects is the new passenger terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, constructed at a cost of Rs 640 crore. Spread over 23,800 square metres, the modern facility has been designed to accommodate 35 lakh passengers annually, substantially expanding the airport's capacity to handle growing passenger traffic.

The terminal incorporates geothermal energy systems to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, reflecting the need for environmentally sustainable infrastructure in Ladakh's ecologically sensitive landscape. The building also combines modern passenger amenities with architectural elements inspired by Ladakh's cultural heritage. Officials said the upgraded terminal would improve passenger convenience, strengthen air connectivity with the rest of the country and support the region's tourism industry.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗸𝗵

The Prime Minister will also dedicate the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The road connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the remote Zanskar Valley, providing an alternative connectivity corridor to Ladakh alongside the existing Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways.

Passing through challenging Himalayan terrain, including the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass, the road is considered strategically important for improving military mobility and logistical support for the armed forces. The government said the new route would strengthen the movement of personnel, equipment and essential supplies in the border region. For residents of Zanskar, the road is expected to improve access to healthcare, educational institutions, markets and essential services, while creating opportunities for tourism and economic activity.

𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

As part of efforts to improve electricity infrastructure, Modi will inaugurate the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and the 66 kV Double-Circuit Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi Transmission Line. The projects are intended to strengthen power evacuation infrastructure and improve the reliability of electricity supply across the region.

The hydropower facility will help harness Ladakh's renewable energy resources, while the transmission line will support more efficient distribution of electricity. The initiatives are particularly significant for remote settlements where difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions create challenges for maintaining reliable power infrastructure.

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗹𝘆𝗽𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗵

The Prime Minister will inaugurate India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh, marking an initiative to protect Ladakh's prehistoric archaeological heritage. The region contains hundreds of ancient rock art sites featuring carvings of animals, human figures and symbolic representations, offering insights into thousands of years of human habitation and cultural development.

The conservation park will provide a dedicated facility for protecting these archaeological remains from environmental damage and human interference. Officials said the project would also promote public awareness about Ladakh's cultural history and encourage responsible heritage tourism.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

Another major initiative involves the inauguration of 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar. The programme seeks to address water scarcity in Ladakh, where agricultural communities face significant challenges because of seasonal variations in water availability.

Although snowmelt and glacial runoff provide substantial water resources during certain periods, farmers frequently experience shortages during the crucial sowing season. The project aims to conserve water when supplies are available and ensure its use during periods of agricultural demand. Aligned with the objectives of Mission Amrit Sarovar, the initiative is expected to strengthen irrigation facilities, support agricultural livelihoods and improve long-term water security.

The inauguration of the five projects comes amid continued efforts to expand infrastructure in Ladakh, where geographical isolation, extreme climatic conditions and strategic security requirements have historically posed major development challenges. The government expects the combined investments to improve civilian connectivity, strengthen defence logistics, expand access to essential services and support sustainable economic development across the Union Territory.