Srinagar, Jan 10: The construction of India’s highest airfield at Mudh in eastern Ladakh is nearing completion, with 90% of the work already done. Located at an altitude of 13,700 feet, the airfield’s runway is ready for emergency landings and is set to be fully operational by August 2025, officials confirmed.
A senior Defence official told Rising Kashmir that the airport is situated just 35 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and 200 kilometers from Leh. “The current progress stands at 90%, with the runway work completed. Execution of certain allied works is still in progress, and we expect the project to be completed by August 2025,” the official said.
The official further revealed that the project for the development of basic infrastructure at Nyoma, under the jurisdiction of Air Force Station (AFS) Leh, was sanctioned on March 31, 2023, at a cost of Rs 219.39 crore. “The project involves the construction of the runway, allied operational works, and the establishment of necessary maintenance and administrative infrastructure,” he added.
Once completed, the Mudh airfield will significantly enhance logistics and military operations in the border areas, improving India’s defense preparedness in the strategically critical region of Eastern Ladakh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Air Force Station Deesa airfield virtually on October 19, 2022. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense sanctioned Rs 393.64 crore for the construction of the runway and associated infrastructure at AFS Deesa (Phase-I) on March 31, 2021.
Mudh, located in Nyoma in the UT of Ladakh, experiences extreme cold with winter temperatures plunging as low as -35 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest airfield in India, despite its elevation. Until now, the KBR Airport in Leh, situated 200 kilometers from Mudh, was the only airfield serving both military and civilian aviation needs. Military machinery was previously transported to the Leh airfield before being moved to the borders by road. The completion of the Mudh airfield is expected to streamline these operations and bolster defense capabilities in the region.
