New Delhi, Oct 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate a series of infrastructure projects in Ladakh on Thursday, including the expanded terminal at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh and several strategically important roads and bridges, official sources said.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM from New Delhi, and will be attended by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and other senior officials and public representatives at the main function in Leh. Separate programmes have been planned across all seven districts of the Union Territory.
Officials said the projects are aimed at strengthening transportation infrastructure, improving connectivity to remote and border areas, and supporting the region’s economic growth, tourism potential and strategic requirements. Most of the road and bridge projects have been executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
The modernised terminal at Leh airport is expected to significantly enhance passenger-handling capacity. Once fully operational, the expanded facility will accommodate up to 54 flights daily, up from the existing capacity of around 18 flights. Officials said this would provide greater scope for passenger movement and tourism-related travel while strengthening Ladakh’s connectivity with the rest of the country.
The roads and bridges slated for inauguration are expected to improve access to remote settlements, facilitate civilian movement and strengthen logistical connectivity for defence personnel deployed in strategically sensitive areas. Improved road infrastructure, officials said, will also support tourism, local trade and the transportation of essential supplies, particularly in areas where geographical challenges and harsh weather conditions often affect movement.
The inauguration programme will coincide with a scheduled meeting in Leh between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The meeting is expected to take place after the Prime Minister’s programme.
The discussions are expected to address key demands raised by Ladakh’s representative groups, including the establishment of a Union Territory-level elected body with legislative, financial and executive powers, along with issues concerning the implementation of relevant provisions of Article 371.
Among those expected to attend the main ceremony in Leh are Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, Ladakh Lok Sabha MP Mohammad Hanifa Jan, and Chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon.
