298-km corridor among Rs 3,350-cr projects
New Deli: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and dedicate five major development projects worth around Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh on October 15, with the 298-km Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Road set to emerge as a key highlight for strengthening strategic connectivity and logistical support for the Armed Forces.
The Prime Minister will launch the projects at around 12:30 PM through video conferencing and address the gathering on the occasion. The initiatives span airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, hydropower generation, cultural heritage conservation and water security.
The Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Road, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the remote Zanskar Valley. The 298-km corridor will provide an alternative route to Ladakh, supplementing the existing Srinagar–Leh and Manali–Leh highways.
Traversing challenging Himalayan terrain, including the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass, the road is expected to enhance operational mobility and strengthen logistical support for the Armed Forces. It will also improve connectivity for residents of Zanskar, facilitating access to healthcare, education, markets and essential services.
Another major component of the development package is the new Passenger Terminal Building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, which the Prime Minister will inaugurate at a cost of Rs 640 crore.
Spread over 23,800 square metres, the modern terminal has been 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.
Blending modern passenger amenities with elements of Ladakh’s cultural heritage, the terminal is expected to improve passenger convenience and strengthen air connectivity between the region and the rest of the country.
In the energy 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 projects are aimed at harnessing Ladakh’s hydropower potential, strengthening power evacuation infrastructure and improving the reliability of the region’s electricity network.
The development package also includes a major initiative for the preservation of Ladakh’s ancient archaeological heritage. The Prime Minister will inaugurate India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh.
Ladakh is home to hundreds of prehistoric rock art sites featuring carvings of wildlife, human figures and symbolic representations that provide insights into thousands of years of human history. The conservation park will offer a dedicated space for protecting these vulnerable archaeological remains, raising public awareness and encouraging responsible heritage tourism.
In a further push towards water security, the Prime Minister will inaugurate 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar, an initiative aligned with the objectives of Mission Amrit Sarovar.
The project seeks to address Ladakh’s unique geographical and climatic challenges by conserving water during periods of availability and ensuring its supply when required. Agriculture in the region often faces a seasonal imbalance, with farmers experiencing water shortages during the crucial sowing season despite the availability of snowmelt and glacial runoff at other times of the year.
The newly developed water bodies are expected to support irrigation, sustain agricultural livelihoods and strengthen long-term water security in the region.
Together, the five projects are aimed at improving Ladakh’s strategic and civilian connectivity, strengthening energy infrastructure, preserving its cultural heritage and addressing critical water management challenges.
