PM Modi Launches Major Development Projects Worth ₹3,350 Crore for Ladakh
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated five key development projects in Ladakh, enhancing infrastructure and opportunities for local residents.
New Delhi, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated five significant development projects for Ladakh via video conferencing on October 15, 2026. During the event, he emphasized the importance of these initiatives for the region’s progress and development.
“This marks a new chapter in Ladakh’s growth,” Modi stated. He expressed his happiness at being part of the occasion through technology. The projects aim to improve transportation, enhance electricity services, increase water availability, and strengthen the preservation of Ladakh’s rich heritage.
He congratulated the people of Ladakh, acknowledging the efforts of engineers, workers, and local partners involved in these projects. Special praise was also directed at the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for their contributions.
Among the projects inaugurated was the new passenger terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, for which Modi had previously laid the foundation stone. He noted that this terminal is India’s first to utilize geothermal heating. “Our goal is to develop modern infrastructure in Ladakh while being mindful of the environment,” he added.
Constructed at a cost of approximately ₹650 crore, the terminal is designed to withstand Ladakh’s harsh climate, incorporating both geothermal technology and solar energy. This development will increase the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 1 million to 3.5 million and could triple the number of flights.
Modi highlighted that this modern terminal will invigorate the tourism sector in Ladakh. Other projects include the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road, dedicated to the people of Ladakh, which cost about ₹2,500 crore and was built by the BRO. The new road will reduce travel time from around 12 hours to just 3 hours, facilitating trade and commerce.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the inauguration of the Sanok Hydroelectric Project and its associated transmission line, emphasizing the government’s focus on providing quality education and opportunities for the youth in Ladakh. Plans are underway for establishing satellite campuses of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu, which will enhance higher education and research opportunities locally.
Discussing sports, Modi noted that Ladakhi youth have made a name for themselves in ice hockey, winter sports, and mountaineering. He expressed his satisfaction with the new sports policy aimed at nurturing local talent, ensuring that young athletes receive better training and facilities to achieve success at national and international levels.
