PM Modi Unveils ₹3,350 Crore Development Projects to Boost Infrastructure and Connectivity in Ladakh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated and dedicated development projects worth approximately ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh, aimed at strengthening connectivity, infrastructure, water security, energy supply, education, and cultural preservation in the strategically important Union Territory.
Among the key projects inaugurated was the new terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh, developed at a cost of ₹650 crore.
The upgraded facility is expected to significantly enhance air connectivity and increase annual passenger handling capacity from 10 lakh to 35 lakh travellers.
The terminal also incorporates sustainable features such as geothermal heating and solar energy systems.
The Prime Minister also dedicated the ₹2,500 crore Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road corridor, a major infrastructure project expected to transform regional connectivity.
The road is projected to reduce travel time on key routes from around 12 hours to nearly three hours, benefiting residents, businesses, and tourists alike.
In the energy sector, the Hanu Hydroelectric Project and associated power infrastructure were dedicated to improving electricity reliability in remote areas of Ladakh.
The government also launched Project Amrit Him Sarovar, under which 40 high-altitude reservoirs will be developed to support water conservation and irrigation needs.
Adding a cultural dimension to the development push, the Prime Minister inaugurated India’s first dedicated petroglyph conservation park in Leh, aimed at preserving prehistoric rock art and promoting heritage tourism in the region.
Highlighting the progress made since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019, Narendra Modi noted that the region’s road network has expanded from 1,800 km to over 4,000 km, while household tap water coverage has increased from 3.5% to nearly 99%.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to strengthen higher education opportunities in the region through a Centre of Excellence in Leh and proposed satellite campuses of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu, aimed at empowering local youth and reducing migration for educational pursuits.
He further emphasised government support for Ladakh’s GI-tagged products, including pashmina, sea-buckthorn, and Ladakhi apricots, to enhance market access and boost local livelihoods.
The projects are expected to play a significant role in accelerating Ladakh’s economic growth, improving quality of life, and strengthening its position as a key tourism and strategic destination in the Himalayan region.
