Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate five major development projects worth Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh on Thursday, aimed at improving connectivity, strengthening energy infrastructure, preserving cultural heritage and enhancing water security in the Union Territory.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to address a gathering at around 12:30 p.m. through video conferencing.
Among the key projects 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 an annual passenger-handling capacity of 35 lakh. The facility incorporates geothermal energy systems to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, reflecting the emphasis on sustainable infrastructure in Ladakh’s ecologically sensitive environment.
Designed with modern passenger amenities and architectural elements inspired by Ladakh’s cultural heritage, the terminal is expected to improve passenger convenience and strengthen air connectivity with the rest of the country.
PM Modi will also dedicate to the nation the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
The road connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the remote Zanskar Valley, providing an alternative route to Ladakh alongside the Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways.
Passing through challenging Himalayan terrain, including the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass, the road is expected to enhance operational mobility and logistical support for the Armed Forces.
It will also improve access to healthcare, education, markets and other essential services for residents of the Zanskar region.
In the energy sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and the 66 kV Double-Circuit Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi Transmission Line.
The projects are aimed at strengthening power evacuation infrastructure, improving electricity supply reliability and harnessing Ladakh’s renewable energy potential.
As part of efforts to preserve the region’s archaeological heritage, PM Modi will inaugurate India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh.
Ladakh is home to hundreds of prehistoric rock art sites featuring carvings of wildlife, human figures and symbolic representations that provide insights into thousands of years of human history.
The conservation park will provide a dedicated space to protect these archaeological remains, promote public awareness and encourage responsible heritage tourism.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar, an initiative focused on addressing Ladakh’s water conservation challenges in line with the objectives of Mission Amrit Sarovar.
Agriculture in Ladakh faces seasonal imbalances in water availability, with farmers frequently experiencing shortages during the crucial sowing period despite substantial snowmelt and glacial runoff at other times of the year.
Project Him Sarovar aims to conserve water during periods of availability and ensure its supply when needed, supporting irrigation, agricultural livelihoods and long-term water security.
PM Modi has frequently highlighted his association with Ladakh, recalling visits to Kargil and other parts of the region during the early years of his political career.
He has also shared personal memories of those visits, including requests from friends to bring back Ladakh’s locally grown turnips, a popular vegetable from the region.
(IANS Inputs)
