Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and dedicate five major development projects worth approximately ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh on October 15, 2026, at 12:30 PM via video conferencing. The projects span critical infrastructure areas including airport development, strategic road connectivity, energy infrastructure, heritage conservation, and water security initiatives.
The centerpiece project is the new Passenger Terminal Building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh, constructed at a cost of ₹640 crore. The 23,800 square meter modern terminal is designed to handle 35 lakh passengers annually and incorporates geothermal energy for enhanced energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint. The facility blends modern passenger amenities with elements of Ladakh's cultural heritage while emphasizing sustainable infrastructure in the ecologically sensitive region.
A significant strategic infrastructure achievement is the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). This road connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the remote Zanskar Valley, providing alternative connectivity to Ladakh and supplementing the existing Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways. The road traverses challenging Himalayan terrain including the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass and enhances operational mobility and logistical support for the Armed Forces while improving access to healthcare, education, and markets for Zanskar residents.
Energy infrastructure development includes the inauguration of the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and the 66 kV Double-Circuit Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi Transmission Line. These projects strengthen power evacuation infrastructure and improve the reliability of Ladakh's electricity network, representing important steps in harnessing the region's renewable energy potential.
Heritage conservation efforts are advanced through India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat, Leh, which will protect Ladakh's prehistoric rock art sites featuring carvings of wildlife, human figures, and symbolic representations that offer insights into thousands of years of human history. The park will raise public awareness and encourage responsible heritage tourism.
Water security initiatives include 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar, addressing Ladakh's unique geographical and climatic challenges through water conservation in line with Mission Amrit Sarovar objectives. The project aims to conserve water during periods of availability (snowmelt and glacial runoff) for use during critical sowing seasons when farmers experience water scarcity, thereby supporting irrigation and sustaining agricultural livelihoods.