Modi visits Leh, says committed to Ladakh's development

We are committed to the development of Leh and Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said onTuesday.

He boldly mentioned that there was a time when prime ministers rarely visited Jammu and Kashmir, but now the prime minister has come here twice.

The Ladakh region has "Prakash, Paryavaran and Paryatan (Power, Environment and Tourism)", which is not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but also for the entire country, said Modi after inaugurating a hydropower project.

"If these three are utilised properly then the country will benefit...Development must be such that it positively transforms the lives of the common people," he said.

Modi added that Leh is at the focus of his government's solar initiative.

"I know the problems people face and most importantly I know the strength of this land....We have put Leh at the focus of our solar energy initiatives," Modi said while addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of the Rs.1,700 crore and 330-km long Leh-Srinagar transmission line here.

He added that the people would no longer have to depend on borrowed power.

Later, Modi will inaugurate another 44 MW hydro power project at Chutak village in Kargil district.