Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that developmental activities had accelerated in Ladakh since the mountainous region was separated from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and became a Union Territory in 2019.
Addressing people through a video conference while inaugurating and dedicating five major developmental projects worth around Rs 3,350 crore, the Prime Minister highlighted significant infrastructure development in Ladakh since it became a Union Territory.
"Since becoming a Union Territory, even greater attention has been given to its development needs. Until 2019, Ladakh had about 1,800 kilometres of road network," the Prime Minister said, adding, "Today, it has increased to more than 4,000 kilometres. Earlier, there were nineteen major bridges here. Today, their number has increased to about seventy-five. The number of helipads has also increased from seven to more than forty."
A big day for Ladakh! Projects worth around Rs. 3,350 crore are set to give the region's development fresh momentum. https://t.co/ADbqwCGmiS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2026
"Earlier, only about three and a half per cent of houses in Ladakh had access to tap water. Today, nearly 99 per cent of homes have access to tap water," Modi said, adding that the number of beds in Ladakh's hospitals had also doubled.
He further said that work on important projects, including the Zojila Tunnel, was progressing rapidly. Once completed, the tunnel would provide Ladakh with improved year-round connectivity to the rest of the country.
Highlighting targeted efforts to create new avenues for regional prosperity, the Prime Minister pointed to the promotion of winter and adventure tourism across the Union Territory. He added that more than 40 border villages were being upgraded under the Vibrant Villages Programme to stimulate grassroots economic activity.
"This is creating employment opportunities even in far-flung villages," he said.
Modi also recalled the enthusiasm of people waving the Tricolour amid fresh snowfall in Zanskar. He expressed gratitude to the engineers, labourers, local workers and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel who had executed the challenging projects.
"I extend my heartiest congratulations to all the people of Ladakh for these projects," he said.
Recalling the foundation-stone-laying ceremony for the new terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh, the Prime Minister expressed delight at inaugurating the facility, built at a cost of Rs 650 crore. The terminal is expected to triple its flight-handling capacity and increase its annual passenger-handling capacity from 10 lakh to 35 lakh.
He highlighted that the terminal was the first in India to feature geothermal heating alongside solar energy utilisation to suit Ladakh's harsh climatic conditions. The facility is expected to boost local tourism while balancing infrastructure development with environmental protection.
"Our effort is to develop modern infrastructure in Ladakh while taking full care of the local environment," he said.
Underscoring the strategic and economic importance of regional connectivity, Modi dedicated the Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road, built at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore, to the people. He said the road would reduce travel time from 12 hours to just three hours.
Emphasising the broader benefits of the corridor, the Prime Minister said it would not only save commuters' time but also strengthen local commerce, trade and business.
Building on the earlier inauguration of the Srinagar–Leh transmission line, the prime minister also dedicated the Hanu hydroelectric project and its associated transmission network. He highlighted ongoing initiatives to develop modern power generation facilities in Puga Valley.
My deepest gratitude to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, for dedicating 5 transformative infrastructure projects to the people of Ladakh today. New airport terminal, Nimoo – Padum – Darcha Road, Hydro-electricity project, Petroglyph Conservation Park and 40 Amrit Him Sarovars across 40 villages – these projects will bridge our remote borders, significantly improve the ease of living and fulfil their long-pending aspirations. In the unforgiving high-altitude terrain and harsh temperatures, these projects are far more than just infrastructure development – they are the crucial lifelines for our people. People of Ladakh are particularly thankful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, for positioning Ladakh on the development journey since 2019, when it was granted the Union Territory status. Since then, Ladakh has witnessed an unprecedented era of inclusive growth and connectivity. From empowering vibrant border villages to building world-class roads, Hon’ble PM’s visionary leadership has proven that geographical distance is no longer a barrier to progress. Thank you Hon’ble PM for always keeping Ladakh close to your heart.
— LG Ladakh (@lg_ladakh) October 15, 2026
Explaining the importance of reliable electricity, Modi said it would improve rural life by lighting homes and supporting children's education, healthcare services and small-scale enterprises.
"Every sector will benefit from it," the prime minister said.
Praising the exceptional craftsmanship of local artisans and farmers, the Prime Minister 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," he asserted.
