Leh, Nov 24 (PTI) Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta conducted an on-site inspection of the new terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh on Monday. During the visit, he reviewed the construction progress and the integration of modern and sustainable technologies into the project. The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance passenger capacity and reflect Ladakh's unique cultural identity through the incorporation of traditional motifs and green features. The completion of the new terminal is targeted for April-May next year to meet the growing travel demands of the region.
The new domestic terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (KBR) Airport spans 23,810 square meters and is designed to handle up to 3.2 million passengers annually. The terminal will include modern passenger facilities and integrate India's largest geothermal system along with solar power for energy efficiency, aligning with Ladakh's vision of becoming a carbon-neutral region. The building is planned as a 4-star GRIHA-rated energy-efficient structure and will reflect local Ladakhi aesthetics, blending culture with contemporary design.
In October 2025, Deputy Commissioner Leh, Romil Singh Donk, chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of the construction. The meeting included a detailed presentation on the project's current status, including information on existing airport facilities, the new terminal building's salient features, master plan development (Phase-II), terminal roofing work, and the geothermal borehole completion schedule. The new terminal building is designed to incorporate modern passenger amenities such as two departure gates, aerobridge connections, escalators, and lifts across three levels, ensuring accessibility and convenience for passengers. The meeting also reviewed the geothermal system being installed at the site, which utilizes groundwater maintaining an average temperature of 12°C. This system will serve as a sustainable heating and cooling solution, providing warmth during Ladakh's harsh winters and cooling in summers, marking a major step toward energy efficiency and green infrastructure in the region. Further discussions were held on showcasing Ladakh's cultural identity through the inclusion of traditional stupas, art, and cultural motifs within the airport premises. DC Leh instructed the AAI team and the cultural officers to regularly inspect the site to ensure the quality and authenticity of the traditional artwork, including paintings and designs being incorporated into the new terminal building.
In a review meeting held in November 2020, it was reported that the project has a total cost of ₹ 480.00 crores, with ₹ 323.19 crores allocated for composite works. The new airport features include an 18,985 Sqm terminal building, a 3,340 Sqm utility building, a 1.6 million passenger capacity (800 peak hours passengers), three passenger boarding bridges, 13 passenger lifts, and two goods lifts. Other facilities include surface car parking, a central cooling and heating system, and a solar grid power system. At that time, 26% of the physical work had been completed, and nearly ₹ 65 Crore had been spent. The completion date, initially set for September 2021, was extended to December 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and short working seasons.
