Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the development of Ladakh is a major priority for the Centre. Mr Modi said this while addressing the people of Ladakh through video conferencing after inaugurating five projects worth around three thousand three hundred 50 crore rupees in the Union Territory virtually. In his address, the Prime Minister emphasised that the projects would improve connectivity, strengthen electricity infrastructure, enhance water availability and boost the preservation of Ladakh’s ancient heritage. The newly inaugurated projects include the New Passenger Terminal Building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, the 298-kilometre-long Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, the nine-megawatt Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project, the 66-kV Double-Circuit Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi Transmission Line, India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh, and 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar.
Mr Modi described the inauguration of these projects as another chapter in Ladakh’s progress and development. He said greater attention had been given to the development needs of Ladakh after it became a Union Territory. The Prime Minister said the Centre is paying special attention to the younger generation of Ladakh, with a focus on quality education, opportunities to learn new technologies and reducing dependence on other cities. He said a major Centre of Excellence is being developed in Leh. Mr Modi added that efforts were being made to promote sporting talent through Ladakh’s new sports policy. He said the aim is to provide better training and facilities to young people so that they can achieve new milestones at national and international levels.
The Prime Minister said the Centre is also focused on developing modern infrastructure while ensuring that Ladakh’s environment is protected. He added that tourism opportunities in the region are expanding, with winter and adventure tourism being promoted to generate employment. Mr Modi said greenhouse farming has also received a sustained push in Ladakh. He noted that the region now has 11,000 greenhouses, creating new opportunities to increase farmers’ incomes.
Referring to the new airport terminal, the Prime Minister said geothermal technology had been used to address Ladakh’s challenging climatic conditions. He said it is the country’s first airport terminal equipped with geothermal heating facilities. The terminal, built at a cost of 640 crore rupees, covers 23,800 square metres and is designed to handle 35 lakh passengers annually. Mr Modi said it would give fresh impetus to tourism in Ladakh.
The Prime Minister said the 298-kilometre Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road would reduce travel time on the route from 12 hours to just three hours. Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation, the road connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the remote Zanskar Valley. It provides an alternative connectivity corridor to Ladakh, supplementing the Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways. Mr Modi said the road would save travel time and provide significant support to trade and business. The Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and the Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi Transmission Line are aimed at strengthening power evacuation infrastructure and improving the reliability of Ladakh’s electricity network. The 40 water bodies developed under Project Him Sarovar are spread across 40 villages.
