New Delhi, Oct. 17 -- Recalling his earlier laying of the foundation stone for the Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport terminal in Leh, the Prime Minister expressed delight at inaugurating the 650-crore-rupee facility that triples flight capacity and expands annual passenger handling from 10 lakh to 35 lakh. He highlighted that the terminal is India's first to feature geothermal heating alongside solar energy usage to suit the harsh climate, energizing local tourism while balancing infrastructure growth with ecological care. "Our effort is to develop modern infrastructure in Ladakh while taking full care of the local environment," asserted Modi.

Underscoring the strategic and economic value of regional connectivity, the Prime Minister dedicat...