Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated three new airports in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh, marking a major milestone in India’s aviation expansion. These airports, located in Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), and Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh), are set to significantly boost regional connectivity, promote tourism, and catalyze economic development in these regions, which have historically lacked sufficient air travel infrastructure.
At the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the critical role of infrastructure in fostering growth and ensuring that every part of India benefits from the nation’s progress. He noted that these new airports will drastically cut travel times for residents and businesses, allowing quicker access to major cities and further integrating these states into India’s broader transportation network. This, in turn, is expected to lead to an uptick in investment and employment opportunities, giving a fresh impetus to local economies.Each of these new airports has been developed with state-of-the-art technology, equipped to handle modern aircraft, and designed to meet global standards of safety and passenger convenience. The airports are also tailored to serve a mix of commercial flights and smaller regional aircraft, further aligning with the government’s vision of expanding air travel to more remote areas through the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), commonly known as UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik).The Prime Minister underscored the importance of the UDAN scheme in making air travel affordable and accessible for the common man. By improving regional air connectivity, the government aims to bridge the urban-rural divide and ensure that citizens in smaller towns and cities have the same opportunities for travel, trade, and growth as those in larger metropolitan areas. These airports will serve as critical links for tier-2 and tier-3 cities, opening up new avenues for tourism and business.In Rewa, the new airport will cater to a significant population of tourists and pilgrims, given the region’s historical and cultural significance. Ambikapur’s airport in Chhattisgarh is expected to drive economic growth in the region by providing much-needed connectivity to its rich natural resources and agricultural hubs. Sonbhadra, in Uttar Pradesh, located in the mineral-rich region of the state, is poised to benefit from faster transport of goods and services, contributing to the state’s industrial growth.Prime Minister Modi also took the opportunity to highlight the broader national push for world-class infrastructure under his government, including the development of highways, railways, and ports. He reiterated that the expansion of air connectivity is central to India’s economic vision of a self-reliant and globally competitive nation. With more airports being constructed and upgraded across the country, India’s aviation sector is poised to grow exponentially, with far-reaching impacts on tourism, business, and employment.The three new airports are part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance regional connectivity, strengthen local economies, and support the nation’s ambition to become a global aviation hub. As more airports come online under the UDAN scheme, the government’s vision of making air travel more inclusive and accessible is becoming a reality, paving the way for faster and more efficient transportation networks across the country.In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister urged state governments and private players to work together to further modernize the country’s infrastructure. He expressed confidence that these airports would not only ease travel but also contribute to India’s long-term goals of sustainable development and economic resilience. The airports in Rewa, Ambikapur, and Sonbhadra represent a significant step toward achieving that vision, providing a gateway to growth for the regions and the nation as a whole.