Leh, Oct 15(APAC Media): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated five development projects worth around ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh on Thursday, covering air travel, strategic roads, electricity, heritage conservation and water supply.
The projects include a new terminal at Leh airport, a 298-km strategic road, a hydropower plant, a conservation park for ancient rock carvings and 40 water bodies across villages.
Leh Airport Gets ₹640 Crore Terminal
The new passenger terminal at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh has been built at a cost of around ₹640 crore. Spread across 23,800 square metres, it can handle 3.5 million passengers annually, compared with the airport’s earlier capacity of one million.
The terminal uses solar energy and geothermal heating to manage Ladakh’s extreme weather conditions. The expansion is expected to increase passenger-handling capacity as air connectivity to the region grows.
298-Km Road To Improve Strategic Connectivity
PM Modi also dedicated the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road to the nation. Built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the road connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the Zanskar Valley.
The route is expected to support military logistics and improve access to healthcare, education and markets for people in remote areas.
Power And Water Projects Target Local Needs
The remaining projects include the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and the 66 kV Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi transmission line, which aim to strengthen electricity generation and distribution.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh to preserve ancient rock carvings.
Under Project Him Sarovar, 40 water bodies across 40 villages were developed to improve water conservation, support irrigation and address seasonal shortages.
The projects focus on infrastructure needs in Ladakh, where difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions pose challenges for transport, power supply and water management.
