Noida International Airport Phase I opens doors; inaugurated by PM Modi on March 28

Marks a major step in Uttar Pradesh’s growth story and India’s aviation future. Airports are not just basic facilities in any country; they give wings to progress: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh on March 28. Expressing his pride and joy on the occasion, the PM said that this marks a new chapter in the Viksit UP, Viksit Bharat Abhiyan.

He noted that India's largest state has now become one of the states with the highest number of international airports. PM Modi shared that he felt doubly proud, first, for having laid the foundation stone of this airport and now inaugurating it, and second, because the name of this grand airport is linked to Uttar Pradesh. "This is the state that chose me as its representative and made me a Member of Parliament, and its identity is now associated with this magnificent airport," remarked the PM.

Highlighting the far-reaching impact of the new airport, the Prime Minister said that the Noida airport will benefit a vast region encompassing Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Etawah, Bulandshahr, and Faridabad. He emphasised that the airport will bring numerous new opportunities for the farmers, small and medium enterprises, and the youth of western Uttar Pradesh. "Aircraft will fly from here to the world, and this airport will also become a symbol of a developed Uttar Pradesh taking flight," said the PM, extending his heartfelt congratulations to the people of the state, especially western UP.

Speaking about the current global situation, the PM observed that the entire world is deeply concerned, with a war raging in West Asia for over a month, creating crises of essential commodities, including food, petrol, diesel, gas, and fertilisers, in many countries. He noted that India imports a very large quantity of crude oil and gas from the conflict-affected region. "The government is taking every possible step to ensure that the burden of this crisis does not fall on ordinary families and farmers," affirmed Modi.

Underscoring India's continued momentum of rapid development even during times of global crisis, the Prime Minister noted that in Western Uttar Pradesh alone, this is the fourth major project to be either inaugurated or have its foundation stone laid in recent weeks. "During this period, the foundation stone of a major semiconductor factory in Noida was laid, the country's first Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat train gained speed, the Meerut Metro was expanded, and the Noida International Airport is being inaugurated," highlighted PM Modi.

The Prime Minister credited the current government for these remarkable achievements in UP's development. He noted that the semiconductor factory is making India self-reliant in technology; the Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat Rail are providing fast and smart connectivity, and the Jewar Airport is connecting entire North India to the world. "Under the current government, the same Noida is becoming a powerful engine of UP's development," asserted Modi.

Elaborating on the history of the airport project, The Prime Minister recalled that the Jewar Airport was approved by Atal ji as early as 2003. And as soon as the current government was formed here, the foundation was laid, construction happened, and now it has started operations," said Modi.

Drawing attention to the region's emerging role as a logistics hub, the Prime Minister pointed out that this area is becoming the hub of two major freight corridors, special railway tracks laid for goods trains, which have enhanced North India's connectivity with the seas of Bengal and Gujarat. He noted that Dadri is the strategic point where both these corridors converge, meaning whatever farmers grow and industries produce here can now reach every corner of the world swiftly, by land and by air. "This kind of multi-modal connectivity is making UP a major attraction for investors worldwide," explained PM Modi.

Addressing the transformation of the region's image, the Prime Minister said. "Noida is ready to welcome the entire world. This whole area is strengthening the resolve of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the farmers who gave up their lands to make this project a reality, noting that agriculture and farming hold great importance in the region's economy. Modi noted that the expansion of modern connectivity will further boost food processing prospects in Western UP, adding, "The agricultural produce from here will now reach global markets more efficiently."

Emphasising that airports are not merely amenities but catalysts for progress, the Prime Minister pointed out the remarkable expansion of India's aviation infrastructure. Highlighting that there are more than 160 airports, PM Modi remarked that air connectivity is now reaching not just metropolitan cities but also smaller towns. “The current government has made air travel accessible for the common Indian," asserted Modi, adding that the number of airports in Uttar Pradesh has been increased to seventeen.

Highlighting the impact of the UDAN scheme, the Prime Minister said that the government has consistently strived to ensure that while airports are built, airfares remain within the reach of ordinary families. Noting that more than one crore sixty lakh citizens have travelled by air at affordable rates by booking tickets under the UDAN scheme, Shri Modi remarked, "Recently, the Central Government has further expanded the UDAN scheme with an approval of approximately INR 29,000 crore, under which 100 new airports and 200 new helipads will be built in smaller cities in the coming years. UP will also benefit immensely from this."

Speaking about India's rapidly growing aviation sector, the Prime Minister noted that as new airports are being built, the demand for new aircraft is also rising, with various airlines placing orders for hundreds of new planes. Modi observed that this creates tremendous opportunities for the youth, including pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance professionals, adding that "our government is also expanding training facilities in the aviation sector" to meet this growing demand.

Addressing a critical gap in India's aviation ecosystem, the Prime Minister drew attention to the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, noting that 85 per cent of Indian aircraft still have to go abroad for MRO services. PM Modi noted that the government has resolved to make India self-reliant in the MRO sector as well and highlighted that the foundation stone of an MRO facility has been laid here at Jewar. “When ready, it will serve aircraft from India and abroad, generating revenue for the country, keeping our money within India, and creating numerous jobs for the youth," announced Modi.

Underlining the government's priority of ensuring citizen convenience and saving their time and money, the Prime Minister spoke about the expansion of modern rail services such as Metro and Vande Bharat. "The Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Rail has already been used by over two and a half crore passengers. The journey between Delhi and Meerut that used to take hours is now completed in minutes," said PM Modi.