Modi unveils foundation stone for new Leh airport terminal

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the foundation plaque of the new domestic terminal building at Leh's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. The airport is located in the Ladakh region of the state and is under the jurisdiction of the Indian Air Force. During the inauguration, Modi said the new terminal will enhance Leh's connectivity with the rest of the country while promoting tourism and creating jobs.

"It's very important that Leh gets better connectivity with the rest of India.  The Leh airport will promote tourism and empower local youth by creating job opportunities," Modi said during the inauguration.

The new domestic passenger terminal building will be constructed on an area of 18985 sqm, with the capacity to hold 800 passengers during peak hours. After its construction, the Leh airport is estimated to be able to handle 16 lakhs passenger annually.  Moreover, a centrally air-conditioned building with a heating system has also been designed, along with necessary passenger-friendly conveniences and amenities.

Terminal to cost 480 crore

Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said that the new terminal at Leh Airport will be built at a cost of Rs 480 crore. The new terminal building's construction is set to be finished by September 2021, Mohapatra said.

Additionally, the building's design will reflect the philosophy of ancient Buddhist wisdom intertwined with modern culture.