PM Modi launches 15 airport projects, 5 cities including Azamgarh get new airports

At a cost of roughly Rs 10,000 crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated 15 airport projects, including 12 new terminal buildings, in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. The largest infra edition of the event will see the laying of foundation stones for future airports, expanded terminals, new airports, and other related facilities.

Twelve new terminal buildings at the airports in Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Adampur are part of the project that Prime Minister Modi announced. On Sunday, the foundation stone for the new terminal buildings at the airports in Belagavi, Hubli, and Kadapa was also laid. Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, was present, along with other dignitaries.

At Chennai, Port Blair, Surat, and Tiruchirappalli airports, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has completed the commissioning of brand-new, cutting-edge integrated terminal buildings as of FY 2023–2024. Additionally, new terminal buildings at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya Dham, Teju Airport, Rajkot International Airport, and Kanpur Airport were opened.

These projects aim to enhance passenger amenities and boost the local economy. Apart from this, foundation stones of new terminal buildings were also laid at Datia, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Rajahmundry to meet future demands. 12 new terminal buildings are being developed at a total cost of Rs 8,903 crore, with a combined capacity to serve 615 lakh passengers annually.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, these terminal buildings are fully equipped with various passenger amenities such as check-in counters, aerobridges, baggage conveyors and adequate concession areas. Airports Authority of India has also taken up the development of three new terminal buildings at Cuddapah, Hubli and Belagavi airports at a total cost of Rs 908 crore.

According to the government, after the development work, the combined passenger handling capacity of these airports will increase to 95 lakh passengers per year. These new terminal buildings are also equipped with various sustainability features like double insulated roofing systems to meet GRI ratings, provision for canopies for energy saving, LED lighting, low heat gain double glazing units, solar power plants etc.

According to the press release issued by the PMO, the designs of these airports have been designed keeping in mind the glimpse of heritage structures of that state and city. Thus reflecting the local culture and highlighting the heritage of the area. The murals, paintings and architectural styles of all the above-mentioned airports have been installed to improve the travel experiences of passengers.

According to news agency ANI, with these new terminal buildings, there will be increased air connectivity in the country which in turn will boost tourism, business and education and generate employment. Along with this, it is important for the economic prosperity of this region.