Ladakh Set for New Airport and Road Connectivity
Five projects worth ₹3,350 crore will strengthen air travel, strategic road access, renewable energy, heritage conservation and water security across Ladakh.
Ladakh is set to receive a major infrastructure boost, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to inaugurate or dedicate five development projects worth around ₹3,350 crore on October 15, 2026. The projects cover airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, hydropower, archaeological heritage conservation and water security.
A key project is the new passenger terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, constructed at a cost of ₹640 crore. Spread across 23,800 square metres, the terminal is designed to handle 35 lakh passengers annually. It incorporates geothermal energy to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, while integrating elements of Ladakh's cultural heritage into the design.
Another major project is the 298-kilometre Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Road, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation. Connecting Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the Zanskar Valley, the road will provide an alternative route to Ladakh alongside the Srinagar–Leh and Manali–Leh highways.
The road crosses challenging Himalayan terrain, including the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass. It is expected to improve strategic mobility and logistical support for the armed forces, while helping residents of Zanskar access healthcare, education, markets and essential services.
The energy projects include the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and a 66 kV double-circuit transmission line connecting Dah, Hanu and Khaltsi. These facilities are intended to improve power evacuation and strengthen the reliability of Ladakh's electricity network, while making better use of the region's hydropower potential.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to inaugurate India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh. The park will provide a dedicated space to protect ancient rock carvings depicting wildlife, human figures and symbolic imagery, while supporting public awareness and responsible heritage tourism.
The fifth initiative is Project Him Sarovar, under which 40 water bodies have been developed across 40 villages. The project aims to conserve water during periods of availability and improve access during agricultural sowing seasons, addressing the seasonal imbalance between water supply and demand in Ladakh.
Together, the projects are intended to improve connectivity, support local livelihoods, strengthen energy infrastructure and address environmental and water-management challenges in the high-altitude Union Territory. The inauguration and dedication programme is scheduled to take place through video conferencing on October 15.