Modi inaugurates five development projects worth ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh
By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 16 inaugurated and dedicated five major development projects worth around ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh through video conferencing, highlighting the Centre’s focus on strengthening connectivity, power supply, water security, tourism and heritage conservation in the Union Territory.
The projects include the new terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh, the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road, the Hanu hydroelectric project and its associated transmission network, 40 reservoirs constructed under Project Amrit Him Sarovar, and India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park in Leh.
Congratulating the people of Ladakh, Modi praised the engineers, labourers, local workers and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel who executed the infrastructure projects under challenging climatic and geographical conditions. He also acknowledged the enthusiasm of residents who gathered amid fresh snowfall in Zanskar to celebrate the occasion.
The Prime Minister said the government was committed to developing modern infrastructure in Ladakh while safeguarding its fragile environment and cultural heritage.
The new terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport, built at a cost of ₹650 crore, will triple the airport’s capacity, increasing its annual passenger-handling capability from 10 lakh to 35 lakh. Modi highlighted its use of geothermal heating and solar energy to meet the demands of Ladakh’s extreme climate, saying the facility would support tourism while promoting environmentally conscious development.
The Prime Minister also dedicated the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road, constructed at a cost of ₹2,500 crore. The strategic road is expected to reduce travel time between key locations from around 12 hours to three hours, improving regional connectivity and providing a boost to trade and business.
On energy infrastructure, Modi dedicated the Hanu hydroelectric project and its associated transmission network, pointing to the importance of reliable electricity for households, education, healthcare and small businesses. He also referred to ongoing efforts to develop modern power generation facilities in Puga Valley.
Emphasising water security and agricultural support, the Prime Minister dedicated 40 newly constructed reservoirs under Project Amrit Him Sarovar. The reservoirs are intended to improve water availability for irrigation, particularly during critical stages of the agricultural cycle in the high-altitude region.
Highlighting infrastructure expansion since Ladakh became a union territory in 2019, Modi said the road network had grown from 1,800 km to more than 4,000 km, while the number of major bridges had increased from 19 to nearly 75. The number of helipads had risen from seven to more than 40, and household tap-water coverage had expanded from 3.5 percent to nearly 99 percent.
He also noted that hospital bed capacity had doubled and said the under-construction Zojila Tunnel would improve all-weather connectivity. Describing Ladakh’s development as a priority for the Central Government, he stressed the importance of infrastructure in improving living standards and creating economic opportunities.
The Prime Minister highlighted the promotion of winter and adventure tourism as another avenue for regional growth. More than 40 border settlements are being developed under the Vibrant Villages Programme to stimulate economic activity and generate employment in remote areas.
According to Modi, the number of homestays in Ladakh had increased from around 150 to 3,000, reflecting the expansion of community-based tourism. He also pointed to the development of protected cultivation, with around 11,000 greenhouses now operating in the region, creating opportunities to improve agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes.
On judicial infrastructure, Modi said the government had approved the establishment of a High Court Bench for Ladakh in August, addressing a long-standing demand for improved access to justice. The move, he said, would make legal services more accessible to residents alongside improvements in administration.
He also underscored the role of digital connectivity in expanding economic and educational opportunities. The expansion of BharatNet and high-speed internet services in remote areas is expected to improve access to e-governance, online education and digital commerce, enabling hotels, restaurants, homestays and local artisans to reach wider markets.
To strengthen higher education and research opportunities, the Prime Minister referred to the construction of a Centre of Excellence in Leh and proposals for satellite campuses of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu. These initiatives, he said, would help young people access advanced education, research facilities and modern skills without having to leave the region.
Modi also welcomed the implementation of Ladakh’s new sports policy, highlighting the region’s achievements in ice hockey, winter sports and mountaineering. He said the government would work to provide better training facilities and infrastructure to help local athletes compete at national and international levels.
Turning to the region’s economic potential, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to expand markets for Ladakh’s traditional products, including sea-buckthorn, handicrafts, Geographical Indication-tagged apricots, high-altitude flowers and Pashmina wool produced by the Changpa community.
He said he had presented Ladakhi products to international leaders, including the German Chancellor, the Swedish Prime Minister and the President of Kyrgyzstan, as part of efforts to promote the region’s distinctive goods. Better branding, wider market access and stronger commercial links, he added, would help ensure that producers directly benefit from the growing demand for regional products.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park in Leh to protect ancient rock carvings and preserve Ladakh’s historical legacy. Highlighting the importance of the region’s monasteries, Buddhist traditions and cultural festivals, he said conservation efforts would help future generations and visitors from across the world understand Ladakh’s rich history.
Concluding his address, Modi expressed confidence that improved infrastructure, expanded economic opportunities and the preservation of the region’s cultural identity would help Ladakh achieve new milestones in development.
