PM Modi Inaugurates Five Ladakh Projects Worth ₹3,350 Crore

• Five Ladakh development projects worth ₹3,350 crore
• Leh airport terminal capacity rises to 35 lakh passengers
• Forty reservoirs to support irrigation and water security
• Petroglyph park inaugurated to preserve ancient rock art

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th Oct: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated and dedicated five major development projects worth approximately ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh through video conferencing, focusing on improved connectivity, power infrastructure, water security, tourism and cultural preservation.

Addressing the event, PM Modi congratulated the people of Ladakh and acknowledged the efforts of engineers, workers, local teams and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel involved in executing projects in the region’s challenging terrain.

PM Modi said the initiatives reflected the Centre’s commitment to developing modern infrastructure while protecting Ladakh’s fragile environment and rich cultural heritage.

Airport and Strategic Road to Improve Connectivity
A key highlight was the inauguration of the new terminal at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh, built at a cost of around ₹650 crore. The terminal is designed to triple the airport’s flight-handling capacity and increase annual passenger-handling capacity from 10 lakh to 35 lakh.

According to PM Modi, the facility incorporates geothermal heating and solar energy to address the region’s extreme climatic conditions while supporting tourism and sustainable infrastructure development.

PM Modi also dedicated the Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road to the people of Ladakh. The approximately ₹2,500-crore strategic corridor is expected to reduce travel time between key locations from around 12 hours to three hours, improving regional connectivity and creating opportunities for trade and commerce.

Power and Water Infrastructure Strengthened
PM Modi dedicated the Hanu hydroelectric project and its associated transmission network, highlighting the importance of reliable electricity for households, education, healthcare and local businesses.

He also dedicated 40 newly constructed reservoirs under Project Amrit Him Sarovar. The reservoirs are intended to improve water availability, particularly for irrigation during critical agricultural periods, and support farming in the high-altitude region.

PM Modi said the projects would help strengthen essential services and create better conditions for economic activity in remote areas.

Focus on Education, Sports and Employment
Emphasising opportunities for Ladakh’s younger generation, PM Modi said a major Centre of Excellence was being developed in Leh to provide access to quality education, advanced technologies and research opportunities without requiring students to move to other cities.

He also referred to proposals for satellite campuses of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu, aimed at expanding access to higher education and specialised skills.

PM Modi highlighted Ladakh’s new sports policy and efforts to provide better training and facilities for local athletes, particularly in ice hockey, winter sports and mountaineering. He said the aim was to help young talent compete at national and international levels.

PM Modi also pointed to the growth of homestays, from around 150 to nearly 3,000, and the development of approximately 11,000 greenhouses. These initiatives, along with winter tourism and the Vibrant Villages Programme, are expected to create livelihood opportunities and support local businesses.

Petroglyph Park to Preserve Ancient Heritage
PM Modi inaugurated India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park in Leh to protect the region’s ancient rock art. He said Ladakh’s monasteries, Buddhist traditions, cultural festivals and historic sites formed an important part of its heritage and deserved sustained conservation.

PM Modi also highlighted the commercial potential of local products, including sea-buckthorn, GI-tagged apricots, handicrafts, Pashmina wool and high-altitude floriculture. He stressed the need for stronger branding, better market access and greater benefits for local producers.

On judicial access, PM Modi said the government had approved the establishment of a High Court Bench for Ladakh in August 2026. He also cited the expansion of BharatNet and high-speed internet services to improve digital access, online education, e-governance and business opportunities.

PM Modi noted that Ladakh’s road network had expanded from around 1,800 kilometres in 2019 to more than 4,000 kilometres. He also cited improvements in bridges, helipads, household tap-water coverage and healthcare infrastructure, while pointing to the ongoing Zojila Tunnel project as an important step towards all-weather connectivity.

Concluding his address, PM Modi reiterated that the development of Ladakh remained a priority for the Centre and called for collective efforts to take the Union Territory towards further progress.