Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Noida International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday. Addressing the event, PM Modi said the international airport will give a boost to the state economy, as well as, the tourism, export and employment sectors. He said, “The Noida International Airport will become the logistics gateway of northern India.”

“The airport will boost exports of Uttar Pradesh and bring thousands of jobs for the youth of the state. Improved air connectivity will also boost the tourism sector of the state,” said PM Modi, adding that, “The Jewar airport will benefit crores of people in Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh.

“Noida International Airport will directly connect a major centre of export with international markets. It will enable farmers of this region to export perishable goods like vegetables, fruits and fish. It will help MSMEs of western Uttar Pradesh to reach foreign markets,” said PM Modi.

“Every year, we spend Rs 15,000 crore on repairs of aircraft in other countries. Now, all repairs and maintenance will be carried out here,” PM Modi said during the event.

Lauding efforts to build infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi said, “Uttar Pradesh has become a centre for multi-national companies.”

PM Modi said that the construction work for the Jewar airport has already begun, and its operations will commence in the next two-three years. “Once it becomes operational, Uttar Pradesh will have five international airports, the highest for any state in India,” he said.

‘UTTAR PRADESH YAANI UTTAM SUVIDHA’

“Uttar Pradesh yaani Uttam suvidha (Uttar Pradesh means best facility)…,” said PM Modi, adding that “India never detoured from the path of development”

PM Modi also assured that the construction work at the Jewat airport will be completed in the stipulated time. He said the Centre ensures that the “project atke nahi, latke nahi or bhatke nahi…”

PM Modi also launched a scathing attack on the Opposition and said, “Twenty years ago, the BJP government saw the dream of constructing an international airport here. However, it got stuck due to the tussle between previous governments sitting in Lucknow and Delhi. Even the previous state government wrote a letter to stop the project. But now we’re witnessing its ‘bhumi pujan’.”

“For the first time after India’s Independence, this double-engine government is giving Uttar Pradesh its due. Earlier, the state would be criticised for bad roads, poor infrastructure, mafia, etc. Previous governments kept Uttar Pradesh poor. Today, the state is making its mark on the global stage,” PM Modi said.

“Earlier projects would be announced but nothing would happen on the ground. Costs would escalate and blame games used to be played. Our government has ensured that infrastructure projects are finished on time. Otherwise, penalties will have to be paid,” said PM Modi.