Modi inaugurates ₹3,350 crore infrastructure push across Ladakh

The infrastructure initiative, valued at approximately ₹3,350 crore, encompasses modernisation of air travel facilities and crucial road networks across the Union Territory. Among the projects is a new passenger terminal at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, constructed at a cost of ₹640 crore. The terminal, spread across 23,800 square metres, has been designed to accommodate 35 lakh passengers annually and features geothermal energy systems to minimise its carbon footprint—a significant consideration for Ladakh's ecologically sensitive region.

The newly inaugurated airport terminal blends contemporary passenger facilities with traditional Ladakhi cultural elements, officials said. The design is expected to strengthen air connectivity between Ladakh and other parts of India while enhancing passenger experience and reducing operational environmental impact.

The portfolio also includes the 298-kilometre Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, developed by the Border Roads Organisation. This strategic highway corridor is expected to significantly improve transportation links across the region and support economic activities in previously underconnected areas.

These projects form part of New Delhi's broader infrastructure development strategy for Ladakh, focusing on sustainable growth, improved connectivity, and preservation of the region's unique cultural and environmental character.