SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and dedicate to the nation five major development projects worth around Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh on October 15 through video conferencing, with initiatives covering airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, hydropower, archaeological conservation and water security.
The Prime Minister will launch the projects at around 12.30 pm and address the gathering on the occasion. The projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving energy infrastructure, preserving cultural heritage and addressing water-related challenges in the high-altitude region.
Among the major projects is the new passenger terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, constructed at a cost of Rs 640 crore. Spread over 23,800 square metres, the terminal is designed to handle 35 lakh passengers annually.
The facility incorporates geothermal energy to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, taking into account Ladakh’s ecologically sensitive environment. It combines modern passenger amenities with elements of the region’s cultural heritage and is expected to improve passenger convenience and strengthen air connectivity with the rest of the country.
Modi will also dedicate to the nation the 298-km-long 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.
Traversing difficult Himalayan terrain, including the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass, the road is strategically significant for improving the movement of personnel and supplies for the Armed Forces. It is also expected to improve access to healthcare, education, markets and essential services for residents of Zanskar.
In the power 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 two projects are intended to strengthen Ladakh’s electricity network, improve the reliability of power supply and support the evacuation of electricity generated in the region. They also form part of efforts to harness Ladakh’s hydropower potential and strengthen its energy infrastructure.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh to protect the region’s ancient rock art.
Ladakh has hundreds of prehistoric rock art sites featuring carvings of wildlife, human figures and symbolic representations that provide insights into the region’s history and cultural development. The conservation park is intended to protect these vulnerable archaeological remains, raise public awareness and promote responsible heritage tourism.
The fifth initiative involves the inauguration of 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar, aimed at strengthening water conservation and security in Ladakh in line with the objectives of Mission Amrit Sarovar.
Agriculture in Ladakh faces a seasonal mismatch between water availability and demand, with farmers often experiencing shortages during the crucial sowing season despite the availability of snowmelt and glacial runoff during other periods.
Project Him Sarovar seeks to conserve water when it is available and retain it for use when required, supporting irrigation, agricultural livelihoods and long-term water security.
Together, the five initiatives cover key infrastructure and development needs in Ladakh, including strategic connectivity, sustainable energy, heritage protection and water conservation.
