As per India Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated phase 1 of the Noida International Airport in Jewar. This decision will be a major boost to connectivity, jobs, and economic growth. Also, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and other major names at the event held under tight security.
The estimated cost of the first phase was approx. Rs 11,200 crore. In addition, it is designed as a multi-modal transport hub with connectivity across rail, metro, road, and regional transport systems. The Prime Minister also visited the terminal after the inauguration.
In addition, as per reports, the airport can manage 12 million passengers per annum in its starting phase. In the future, the capacity is expected to rise up to 70 million passengers per annum.
The project also includes a cargo hub with a starting capacity of over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually. In the future, it can be expanded up to 10 lakh metric tonnes.
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‘Viksit UP, Viksit Bharat’ Vision Drive
The Prime Minister has linked the project to the broader vision and said, “Today, we are starting a new chapter of the ‘Viksit UP, Viksit Bharat’ campaign. The largest state in the country has now become the state with the most international airports.”
He also spoke about his association with the project. “You all gave me the good fortune to lay the foundation stone and also to inaugurate this airport.”
Criticism of Previous Government Policies
PM Modi has also pointed fingers at earlier governments. He said: “Noida Airport was cleared during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s time in 2003. But Congress and the regional governments here did not even allow the foundation stone to be laid. The project remained only on paper.”
Global Challenges and Their Impact on India
He also talked about the global situations and spoke about the effect of the West Asia conflict. He said: “We are ensuring our farmers do not get burdened due to this crisis. India has continued its development journey even during this period.” Moreover, he also said that additional steps are taken to protect the common citizens from the impact of global tensions.
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Development Push for Western Uttar Pradesh
As per India Today, he said the airport would transform the region’s prospects. He said, “Because of this, Noida International Airport, Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Etawah, Bulandshahr, Faridabad, and this entire region are going to benefit greatly,” he said.
“This airport is going to bring many new opportunities for the farmers, small and medium-sized businesses, and the youth of West UP. From here, aircraft will fly around the world, and it will become the symbol of the flight of developed Uttar Pradesh.”
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Overall, phase 1 of the Noida International Airport is expected to improve connectivity in Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region. It can foster tourism, trade, and employment chances.