Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated five major development projects worth Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh, focusing on improving connectivity, strengthening power infrastructure, conserving cultural heritage and enhancing water security. The projects include a new passenger terminal at Leh airport, the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, hydropower and transmission facilities, India's first petroglyph conservation park and 40 water bodies developed under Project Him Sarovar. “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,” Modi said. “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.
New Leh airport terminal to handle 35 lakh passengers annually
One of the key projects inaugurated by PM Modi is the new passenger terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, constructed at a cost of Rs 640 crore. Spread across 23,800 square metres, the terminal has been designed to accommodate up to 35 lakh passengers annually. It features modern passenger facilities and incorporates elements of Ladakh's cultural heritage into its design.
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The terminal also uses geothermal energy to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. The facility is expected to improve passenger convenience and strengthen air connectivity to the strategically important and ecologically sensitive region.
Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road to improve connectivity to Ladakh
PM Modi also dedicated the 298-km-long Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road to the nation. Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the road connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the remote Zanskar Valley.
The route provides an additional connectivity corridor to Ladakh, complementing the existing Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways. It passes through challenging Himalayan terrain, including the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass.
Apart from improving access to remote settlements, the road has strategic significance as it is expected to strengthen the movement of personnel and supplies for the Armed Forces.
For residents of Zanskar, the improved road link is also expected to make it easier to access healthcare facilities, educational institutions, markets and other essential services.
Ladakh gets 9 MW hydropower project and new transmission line
To strengthen the region's energy infrastructure, the Prime Minister inaugurated the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and the 66 kV Double-Circuit Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi Transmission Line.
The two projects aim to improve electricity network reliability and strengthen the infrastructure needed to transmit power generated in the region.
By tapping into Ladakh's hydropower potential and improving power transmission, the projects are expected to support energy security and contribute to the development of the region's electricity infrastructure.
India's first petroglyph conservation park inaugurated in Leh
PM Modi inaugurated India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh to protect Ladakh's ancient rock art and archaeological heritage.
The region contains hundreds of prehistoric rock art sites featuring carvings of animals, human figures and symbolic designs. These petroglyphs offer valuable insights into the lives, beliefs and cultural practices of people who inhabited the region thousands of years ago.
The new park is intended to provide a dedicated space for conserving these vulnerable archaeological remains. It will also help raise awareness about Ladakh's historical significance and encourage responsible heritage tourism.
The initiative is aimed at preserving an important part of the region's cultural legacy while making its archaeological wealth more accessible to visitors.
Project Him Sarovar: 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages
The fifth project involves 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar, an initiative focused on improving water conservation and long-term water security in Ladakh.
The region faces particular challenges because water availability does not always coincide with agricultural demand. While snowmelt and glacial runoff provide water during certain periods, farmers can face shortages during the crucial sowing season.
Project Him Sarovar seeks to address this imbalance by storing water when it is available and making it accessible when required. The initiative is expected to support irrigation, protect agricultural livelihoods and improve water management in the region.
The project also aligns with the broader objectives of Mission Amrit Sarovar, which promotes the development and rejuvenation of water bodies.
PM Modi's focus on Ladakh's development
Ladakh has remained an important focus of the government's efforts to improve infrastructure and access to essential services in remote Himalayan areas. The latest projects cover several areas of development, from air and road connectivity to renewable energy, heritage conservation and water management.
Together, the initiatives aim to address some of the region's geographical and climatic challenges while supporting local communities and strengthening Ladakh's infrastructure.
Inputs from agencies