The Centre has sanctioned Rs 17 crore for three tourism development projects in Leh-Ladakh belt of Jammu and Kashmir, state Tourism minister said today.

"The Centre has sanctioned three development projects costing Rs 17 crore for upgradation and development of tourist-related infrastructure in Leh-Ladakh belt," Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora said.

The state has received the first installment of Rs 3.39 crore under the first phase of the project which includes development of a circuit connecting Pongang, Tsomuriri and Tsokar lakes, he said. Giving details of the sanctioned projects, Jora said Rs 4.59 crore would be expended on creation of a tourist facility in Leh district and Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for development of infrastructure.