Projects include Leh airport terminal, strategic road, hydropower facilities, petroglyph conservation park and water bodies
New Delhi, October 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and dedicate five development projects worth around ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh on October 15 through video conferencing, according to an official statement.
The event is scheduled for around 12:30 pm, during which the Prime Minister will also address the gathering.
The projects cover airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, hydropower generation, cultural heritage conservation and water security.
Among the key projects is the new passenger terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, constructed at a cost of ₹640 crore. Spread over 23,800 square metres, the terminal is designed to handle 35 lakh passengers annually. It incorporates geothermal energy to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, while its design also includes elements of Ladakh’s cultural heritage.
Modi will also dedicate the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road to the nation. Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation, the road connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the Zanskar Valley, crossing the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass.
The road will provide an alternative route to Ladakh, supplementing the Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways. According to the government, it will strengthen logistical support and operational mobility for the Armed Forces while improving access to healthcare, education, markets and essential services for residents of Zanskar.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and the 66 kV double-circuit Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi Transmission Line. The facilities are intended to improve power evacuation and strengthen the reliability of Ladakh’s electricity network.
The projects also seek to support the use of the region’s hydropower potential and improve its energy infrastructure.
Another project to be inaugurated is India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh. The park aims to preserve Ladakh’s prehistoric rock carvings, which depict wildlife, human figures and symbolic representations and provide insights into the region’s ancient history.
The facility is intended to protect vulnerable archaeological remains, promote public awareness and encourage responsible heritage tourism.
The fifth initiative involves 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar, which aligns with the objectives of Mission Amrit Sarovar.
The initiative seeks to address seasonal water shortages affecting agriculture in Ladakh. While snowmelt and glacial runoff provide substantial water resources during certain periods, farmers often face shortages during the crucial sowing season.
The water bodies are intended to conserve available water and make it accessible when required, supporting irrigation, agricultural livelihoods and long-term water security.
The projects are part of efforts to improve infrastructure and public services in Ladakh while addressing the region’s strategic, environmental and geographical challenges, the government said.
