Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stone for various development projects, worth nearly 12,000 crore rupees, at Leh in Lakadh today.

The Prime Minister is on a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir. He laid foundation stone for a 480 crore rupee Terminal Building at Leh Airport. Mr Modi inaugurated the 9-megawatt Dah hydroelectric project.

Located in Dah near village Datang, the project is a run-of-the-river scheme.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the 220 KiloVolt Srinagar-Alusteng-Drass-Kargil-Leh transmission system.

Mr Modi also launched University of Ladakh, the first-ever in the state’s region. It will be a cluster university comprising degree colleges of Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Zanskar, Drass and Khaltsi.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated new tourist and trekking routes in Ladakh.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, once the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line is completed, the distance from Delhi to Leh will be reduced. He said, it will also benefit the tourism sector.

Mr Modi said, protected Area Permit’s validity has been increased to 15 days, and now tourists will be able to enjoy their journey to Leh.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will visit Jammu and Srinagar to inaugurate and lay foundation stones of various projects, including two new All India Institute of Medical Sciences and 624 MW Kiru Hydroelectric project in Kishtwar. He is scheduled to hold a public rally at Vijaypur.