Leh, Oct 15: Prime Minister NarendraModi on Thursday said that Ladakh witnessed sweeping infrastructural gains since it became a Union Territory.
Inaugurating and dedicating five major development projects worth around Rs 3350 crore in Ladakh today via video conferencing, PM Modi said detailed sweeping infrastructural gains since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019.
He said that the road network had expanded from 1800 kilometers to over 4000 kilometers, major bridges had increased from 19 to nearly 75, helipads had grown from 7 to over 40, tap water coverage had surged from 3.5 percent to nearly 99 percent of households, hospital beds had doubled, and the ongoing Zojila Tunnel was set to provide all-weather national connectivity.
“Today, for the central government, the development of Ladakh is a priority,” the PM said.
Celebrating a new chapter in the region’s development through virtual participation, he inaugurated multiple key projects designed to ease travel, improve electricity and water access, and preserve ancient heritage.
PM Modi fondly noted the enthusiasm of citizens waving the tricolour amidst fresh snowfall in Zanskar, while extending his gratitude to the engineers, labourers, local workers, and the BRO personnel who executed these challenging works.
“I extend my heartiest congratulations to all the people of Ladakh for these projects,” he said.
Recalling his earlier laying of the foundation stone for the KushokBakula Rinpoche Airport terminal in Leh, the PM expressed delight at inaugurating the Rs 650-crore facility that triples flight capacity and expands annual passenger handling from 10 lakh to 35 lakh.
He said that the terminal is India’s first to feature geothermal heating alongside solar energy usage to suit the harsh climate, energising local tourism while balancing infrastructure growth with ecological care.
“Our effort is to develop modern infrastructure in Ladakh while taking full care of the local environment,” PM Modi said.
Underscoring the strategic and economic value of regional connectivity, he dedicated the Rs 2500-crore.Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road to the citizens, noting that it slashes travel time from 12 hours down to just 3 hours.
The PM said that beyond saving commuters’ time, this vital corridor would significantly boost local commerce.
“This road will also greatly help trade and business,” he said.
Building upon his prior inauguration of the Srinagar-Leh transmission line, PM Modi dedicated the Hanu hydroelectric project and its associated transmission network while noting ongoing modern power generation initiatives in Puga Valley.
He said that reliable electricity transforms rural life by illuminating homes and empowering children’s education, healthcare delivery, and small-scale enterprises.
“Every sector will benefit from it,” the PM said.
Focusing on agricultural resilience and water security across the high-altitude terrain, he dedicated 40 newly constructed reservoirs developed under Project Amrit Him Sarovar to the local community.
PM Modi said that these water bodies were designed to support the agrarian economy during critical cultivation cycles.
“These will help in providing water for irrigation to farmers at the time of need,” he said.
Highlighting targeted efforts to unlock new avenues of regional prosperity, the PM pointed to the active promotion of winter and adventure tourism across the territory.
He added that over 40 border settlements are currently being upgraded under the Vibrant Villages program to stimulate grassroots economic activity.
“This is creating employment opportunities even in far-flung villages,” PM Modi said.
Illustrating the rapid expansion of hospitality and modern agriculture, he said that local homestays had multiplied from roughly 150 to 3000.
The PM highlighted the continuous promotion of protected cultivation, which had resulted in 11,000 operational greenhouses across the region.
“These have created new possibilities for increasing farmers’ income,” he said.
Addressing a long-standing regional demand for closer judicial access, PM Modi announced that the government officially approved the establishment of a High Court Bench for Ladakh in August this year.
He said that fulfilling this crucial institutional requirement would streamline both governance and legal recourse for citizens.
“This will make the justice system accessible alongside administration,” the PM said.
Emphasising the role of digital connectivity in driving modern commerce for hotels, restaurants, homestays, and local crafts, he detailed the expansion of BharatNet and high-speed internet across remote pockets of the territory.
PM Modi said that continuous efforts are underway to ensure seamless access to e-governance, online education for youth, and global market integration for local entrepreneurs.
“Today online business is opening new avenues of income,” he said.
Prioritising the educational empowerment of the younger generation so they do not have to migrate to other cities, the PM highlighted the construction of a major Center of Excellence in Leh alongside advancing proposals for satellite campuses of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu.
He said that these premier institutions would equip local students with advanced research and modern technological skills right at their doorstep.
“The youth of Ladakh will be able to get better opportunities for higher education, research, and new skills right in their own region,” PM Modi said.
Recognising the distinct athletic identity carved out by local youth in ice hockey, winter sports, and mountaineering, he welcomed the implementation of Ladakh’s new sports policy to nurture regional talent. The PM reiterated the administration’s commitment to providing world-class training facilities to help local athletes excel globally.
“We are striving to provide the local youth with enhanced training and facilities so they can scale new heights on national and international platforms,” he said.
Praising the exceptional craftsmanship of local artisans and farmers, PM Modi shared how he frequently gifts Ladakhi products, having presented them to the German Chancellor, the Swedish Prime Minister, and the President of Kyrgyzstan, while highlighting the vast commercial potential of sea-buckthorn, handicrafts, GI-tagged apricots, high-altitude commercial floriculture, and the traditional Pashmina crafted by the Changpa community.
He stressed that the government is actively strengthening Pashmina’s global identity and expanding market branding for regional goods.
“Our effort is that the products here get new markets, get better branding, and their benefits reach the producers directly!” the PM said.
Honoring the priceless cultural heritage of ancient monasteries, Buddhist traditions, and festivals inspired by Revered KushokBakula Rinpoche, he inaugurated India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park in Leh to safeguard historic rock art.
PM Modiemphasised that preserving this legacy ensures both future generations and global visitors can deeply connect with the region’s antiquity.
“People coming from the country and the world will also become familiar with the rich history of Ladakh,” he said.
Concluding his address with deep optimism for the territory’s trajectory, the PM reiterated his faith in collective action to elevate the region to unprecedented developmental milestones.
He offered his final congratulations and traditional greetings to the citizens for the newly launched infrastructure works.
“Together we all will take Ladakh to new heights of development,” PM Modi said.
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