Lieutenant Governor Shri V. K. Saxena ji, all senior officials of the BRO and the Airport Authority, all officials of the Union Territory, other distinguished guests, my dear brothers and sisters.
Today, another chapter is being added to the progress and development of Ladakh. I am happy that I am becoming a part of this occasion through technology. Today, several important development projects have been inaugurated in Ladakh. Through these projects, travel will become easier for many people, electricity facilities will improve in some places, water availability will increase in others, and the conservation of our ancient heritage will also receive new strength. Just now, I was watching that there was snowfall in Zanskar, and I was seeing the enthusiasm of the people of Zanskar, their excitement in waving the Tricolour even while the snow was falling.
This is my Leh, my Ladakh. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the people of Ladakh for these projects. I also congratulate all the engineers, workers, and local companions involved in these projects. I especially appreciate the companions of the BRO.
Some time ago, I had the privilege of laying the foundation stone for the terminal building of the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. And it is my good fortune that today I have also had the privilege of inaugurating this important project. This terminal, built at a cost of about six hundred and fifty crore rupees, will increase the airport’s annual passenger capacity from one million to three and a half million. The number of flights here can also increase by up to three times. This terminal has another special feature. Keeping Ladakh’s harsh climatic conditions in mind, geothermal technology has been used in it. Solar energy has also been incorporated. This is the country's first airport terminal equipped with geothermal heating facilities in India. Congratulations to all of you. Our effort is that modern infrastructure should develop in Ladakh while also ensuring complete care for the environment here. This airport terminal will also provide new energy to the tourism sector in Ladakh. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all my brothers and sisters of Ladakh for this modern airport terminal.
The other projects inaugurated today are also of great importance. Today, the Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road has been dedicated to the people of Ladakh. About two thousand five hundred crore rupees have been spent on it. A journey that earlier took around twelve hours can now be completed in approximately three hours. This means that not only will travel time be saved, but this road will also greatly support trade and commerce.
Earlier, I had the privilege of laying the foundation stone and inaugurating the power transmission line connecting Srinagar and Leh. Today, the Hanu hydroelectric project and its associated transmission line have also been inaugurated. We all know that a reliable electricity system brings not only light, but also illuminates lives. It brings major changes to life. Many new activities become possible in villages. Children’s education, healthcare services, and small local businesses, every sector will benefit from it. Work is also progressing on a modern electricity generation project in the Puga Valley.
Today, forty reservoirs built under Project Amrit Him Sarovar have also been dedicated to the people of Ladakh. These will help farmers obtain irrigation water whenever needed.
It has always been said that life in Ladakh is very difficult because of nature. Natural conditions do present their own challenges. But unfortunately, despite these circumstances, previous governments did not give priority to the development of Ladakh. Today, however, the development of Ladakh is a major priority for the central government. 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. 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. Earlier, only about three and a half percent of houses in Ladakh had access to tap water. Today, nearly 99 percent of homes have access to tap water. The number of beds in Ladakh’s hospitals has also doubled. Along with this, work on important projects such as the Zojila Tunnel is progressing very rapidly. Once completed, it will provide Ladakh with improved year-round connectivity to the rest of the country.
The central government is also focusing on creating new avenues of prosperity in Ladakh. Today, opportunities in tourism are increasing here. Winter tourism and adventure tourism are being promoted. Under the Vibrant Villages Programme, the central government and we are developing more than forty border villages in Ladakh, and we call them the “first villages” of India. This is creating employment opportunities even in remote areas.
Earlier, Ladakh had around one hundred and fifty homestays. Today, their number has increased to three thousand. Greenhouse farming has also been consistently promoted in Ladakh. Today, there are eleven thousand greenhouses here. These have created new possibilities for increasing farmers’ incomes.
The demand for a High Court Bench in Ladakh had also existed for a long time. Our government has fulfilled that demand as well. In August this year, approval was granted for the establishment of a High Court Bench in Ladakh. This will make both administration and the justice system more accessible.
Today, digital technology is also bringing many new opportunities closer. Whether it is hotels, restaurants, homestays, or local products, online business is opening new avenues of income. That is why we have expanded BharatNet and high-speed internet in Ladakh and other remote areas. Continuous work is also being done to ensure easier access to government services, to enable youth to study online, and to connect local entrepreneurs to national and global markets.
We are paying special attention to the new generation of Ladakh. The youth here should receive quality education, opportunities to learn new technologies, and should not have to depend on other cities. Therefore, a major Centre of Excellence is being established in Leh. Proposals are also being advanced for satellite campuses of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu. These will create better opportunities for higher education, research, and advanced skills for the youth of Ladakh within their own region.
Ladakh also has enormous potential in sports. The youth here have created a distinct identity in areas such as ice hockey, winter sports, and mountaineering. I am happy that efforts are being made to promote sporting talent through Ladakh’s new sports policy. Our effort is to ensure that young people here receive better training and facilities so that they can achieve new milestones at national and international levels.
The products that all of you create in Ladakh through your hard work are truly excellent. You already know that whenever I meet foreign guests, I often present products made in Ladakh as gifts and also tell them about all of you. I have gifted products made in Ladakh to the Chancellor of Germany, the Prime Minister of Sweden, and the President of Kyrgyzstan. The pashmina of this region, sea buckthorn, local handicrafts, and fruits such as apricots all carry immense commercial potential. That is why we granted a GI tag to Ladakh’s apricots. Today, their demand is increasing across the world. Our effort is to ensure that these products find new markets, receive better branding, and that the benefits reach the producers directly. We are also paying special attention to the pastoralists of the Changpa community. Efforts are being made to further strengthen the identity of the pashmina associated with their hard work and traditional skills. Commercial cultivation of flowers in high-altitude regions is also being promoted in Ladakh.
The cultural heritage of Ladakh is a priceless treasure of our nation. The ancient monasteries here, the Buddhist traditions, and the local festivals must be preserved and safeguarded for future generations. In this direction, the contribution of the revered Kushok Bakula Rimpochee ji is a great inspiration for all of us. Our government’s effort is that people across the world become familiar with the culture and traditions of Ladakh. Keeping this mission in mind, India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park has been inaugurated in Leh today. This will further strengthen efforts to preserve Ladakh’s ancient heritage. Future generations will be able to understand this heritage, and visitors from around the world will also become acquainted with Ladakh’s rich history.
I am confident that together we will take Ladakh to new heights of development. With this, I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you for these many development works.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s address. Original address was delivered in Hindi.