Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 15 October 2026, inaugurated five major development projects worth approximately ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh via video conferencing, calling the occasion a 'historic milestone' for the region. Speaking to a large gathering after the e-inauguration, Modi greeted residents in the Ladakhi language and said a 'new chapter is being written today in the history of Ladakh.'

Key Projects Inaugurated

The centrepiece announcement was the new terminal at Leh Airport, built at a cost of ₹650 crore. The terminal will raise annual passenger arrival capacity from approximately 10 lakh to 35 lakh — a threefold increase — and is the first airport in India to be fitted with geothermal technology. Modi said the terminal would 'give new energy to the tourism sector.'

The Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, constructed at ₹2,500 crore, was also dedicated to the people of Ladakh. The road slashes travel time on the route from 12 hours to just three hours, and is expected to boost both tourism and trade connectivity in the high-altitude region.

The 9 MW Hanu Hydroelectric Project, along with associated transmission infrastructure, was inaugurated to improve local power stability. Modi underscored that 'dependable electricity not only brings light to our homes, but it also enlightens our lives,' connecting reliable power to children's education, healthcare, and small business growth in villages.

Additionally, 40 water bodies across 40 villages under Project Amrit Him Sarovar were dedicated to address seasonal water shortages and support irrigation for local farmers.

Infrastructure Growth Since 2019

Modi cited a series of figures to underline what he described as transformative change since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019. According to the Prime Minister, the road network expanded from 1,800 km to 4,000 km; major bridges increased from 19 to 75; and helipads grew from 7 to 40. Most strikingly, he said access to safe drinking water rose from 3.5% of the population to over 99% in the same period.

He also highlighted progress on the Zojila Tunnel, saying its completion would make Ladakh an all-weather, year-round destination. The number of homestays in the region has reportedly grown from 150 to 3,000, and greenhouses now exceed 11,000 — signalling a push toward local economic self-sufficiency.

Education, Culture, and Justice

Modi announced that campuses of IIT-Jammu and IIM-Jammu are being opened in Ladakh to ensure the next generation can access quality technical education without relocating. He also noted that the Centre had sanctioned a Leh bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in August, bringing justice closer to residents' doorsteps.

On cultural heritage, he spoke of the significance of Buddhist monasteries and artefacts, and noted the inauguration of the country's first petroglyph conservation park in Leh. He also mentioned that Pashmina and local apricot products now carry a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, and said he regularly presents Ladakhi products as gifts to foreign dignitaries. A special mention of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was made for its role in the infrastructure push.

What Comes Next

With the Zojila Tunnel still in progress and IIT and IIM campuses being established, the infrastructure pipeline for Ladakh remains active. Modi concluded his address with a pledge: 'I am sure all of us will together carry Ladakh to even greater heights of prosperity and development.' The completion of all-weather connectivity and higher education infrastructure will be closely watched as indicators of whether the current development momentum is sustained.