LEH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and dedicate five development projects worth around ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh on Thursday, October 15, through video conferencing at around 12:30 pm.
The projects cover air and road connectivity, power infrastructure, archaeological heritage conservation and water security. The Prime Minister will also address a gathering during the programme, officials said.
They said, Modi will inaugurate 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 combines modern passenger facilities with elements of Ladakh’s cultural heritage.
He 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 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 improve logistical support for the Armed Forces and facilitate movement across the region. It will also improve access to healthcare, education, markets and essential services for residents of Zanskar, said the officials.
They further said that 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 aimed at strengthening power transmission infrastructure, improving electricity supply reliability and facilitating the utilisation of Ladakh’s hydropower potential.
Modi will also inaugurate India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh to preserve the region’s ancient rock art. Ladakh has hundreds of prehistoric petroglyph sites featuring carvings of wildlife, human figures and symbolic representations that provide insights into its history and cultural heritage.
The officials said that the conservation park is intended to protect vulnerable archaeological remains, raise public awareness and promote responsible heritage tourism, adding, the fifth project involves the inauguration of 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar, an initiative aligned with the objectives of Mission Amrit Sarovar.
The project aims to address seasonal water shortages affecting agriculture in Ladakh, where farmers often face scarcity during the sowing season despite the availability of snowmelt and glacial runoff at other times of the year. The water bodies are intended to conserve available water for use when required, particularly for irrigation, and strengthen agricultural livelihoods and long-term water security.
