PM Inaugurates Kushinagar Airport, 1st Flight With Buddhist Monks From Sri Lanka Lands

Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar International Airport, a major pilgrimage center for followers of Buddhism. The airport was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 260 crore.

An inaugural flight from Colombo carrying a Sri Lankan delegation of over 100 people, including Buddhist monks and five ministers, and the sacred Buddha relic landed at Kushinagar.

While inaugurating the Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it will be a boost to tourism and generate employment in the state.

“Kushinagar International Airport won’t just be mode of air connectivity. Be it farmers, animal keepers, shopkeepers, workers, local industrialists-it’ll benefit all. It’ll create ecosystem of business. Tourism will get maximum benefit; it’ll generate employment for youth here,” said Modi.

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Pm Modi added, “Kushinagar International Airport is the result of decades of hopes & expectations. My happiness is two-fold today. As curious about the spiritual journey, I’ve a sense of satisfaction. As a representative of Purvanchal area, it is time for the fulfilment of a commitment.”

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Modi spoke about the how the country’s aviation sector will run professionally and that SpiceJet will fly directly from Delhi to Kushinagar, which will help the local passengers.

“A major step related to Air India was taken recently to run the country’s aviation sector professionally and to give priority to facilities & security. This step will give new energy to India’s aviation sector,” PM Modi.

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“I have been informed that in the next few weeks, SpiceJet is starting a direct flight between Delhi and Kushinagar. This will help local passengers and devotees,” PM Narendra Modi added.

Under regional connectivity scheme UDAN, SpiceJet and Truejet have been awarded flights to connect Kushinagar with Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gaya, Bareilly, Saharanpur and Hindon.

He also revealed his future plans of building a network of airports, heliports, and water dome in the nation.

“The effort will be to have a network of more than 200 airports, heliports and water dome in the nation in the next 3-4 years,” Modi said.

The Kushinagar International Airport project is estimated to be of Rs.260 crore. The inauguration was attended by Monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Nepal, Bhutan, and Cambodia and ambassadors of various countries.

The airport will facilitate pilgrimage to Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvan sthal of lord Buddha, thereby boosting the economy of the region.

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