PM Modi inaugurates Rs 3,350 cr projects in Ladakh, including new Leh airport terminal

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated five development projects worth around Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh, covering airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, renewable energy and water conservation.“Today, another chapter is being added to Ladakh’s progress and development. I am happy to be part of this occasion through technology. Several important development projects have been inaugurated in Ladakh today,” PM Modi said while inaugurating the projects, PTI reported.“These projects will make travel easier for many people, improve electricity facilities in some areas, increase water availability in others, and strengthen the preservation of our ancient heritage,” he added.The five key projects include:

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The new passenger terminal at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh has been built at a cost of Rs 640 crore. Spread over 23,800 square metres, it is designed to handle 35 lakh passengers annually, officials said.The terminal incorporates geothermal energy to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, an important consideration in Ladakh’s ecologically sensitive environment.

Combining modern passenger amenities with elements of Ladakh’s cultural heritage, the terminal is expected to improve passenger convenience and strengthen air connectivity with the rest of the country.

PM inaugurated several other projects

PM Modi also dedicated to the nation 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.

It provides an alternative route to Ladakh, supplementing the Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways, an official statement said.The road crosses challenging Himalayan terrain, including the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass. Its strategic importance lies in improving the movement of personnel and supplies for the armed forces, the statement said.It is also expected to benefit residents of Zanskar by improving access to healthcare, education, markets and other essential services.As part of efforts to strengthen energy security and tap Ladakh’s renewable energy potential, the prime minister inaugurated the 9 MW Hanu small hydroelectric project and the 66 kV double-circuit Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi transmission line.The projects are expected to strengthen power evacuation infrastructure and improve the reliability of the region’s electricity network, supporting the use of Ladakh’s hydropower resources.The Prime Minister also inaugurated India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh to protect Ladakh’s archaeological heritage.The region is home to hundreds of prehistoric rock art sites featuring carvings of wildlife, human figures and symbolic representations. These carvings offer insights into thousands of years of human history.The conservation park is aimed at preserving this heritage for future generations.The prime minister also inaugurated 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar. The initiative seeks to address Ladakh’s geographical and climatic challenges through water conservation and aligns with the objectives of Mission Amrit Sarovar.Agriculture in Ladakh faces a seasonal mismatch between water availability and demand. Farmers often experience shortages during the crucial sowing season, even though snowmelt and glacial runoff provide substantial water resources at other times of the year.Project Him Sarovar aims to conserve water when it is available and make it accessible when needed. The initiative is expected to support irrigation, sustain agricultural livelihoods and strengthen long-term water security in the region, the official statement said.