The Hindu : National : Pratibha inaugurates Meghalaya’s second airport at Tura

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Pratibha inaugurates Meghalaya’s second airport at Tura

Special Correspondent

GUWAHATI: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Thursday inaugurated and dedicated the second airport of Meghalaya — the Baljek airport at Tura in West Garo Hills district, to people of the State and nation. She congratulated the Meghalaya government for building the airport and hoped that it would provide connectivity to that part of the State and rest of the nation.

“The opening of this airport should encourage tourism which is an important engine for growth. This will help people from other parts of the country to visit the beautiful Garo Hills to enjoy its great scenic beauty, its cultural heritage and interact with the local population, which is known for its friendly attitude,” said Ms. Patil in her speech delivered at the inaugural ceremony.

She said the airport should also make it possible to send some of the local produce outside. “I hope that perishable goods, will now reach new markets faster. I am told that the flowers — orchids and Anthuriums, some of my favourites, grow well in this part of Meghalaya. We would see these flowers from here going to different parts of India and also overseas, once flights start operating. I hope that the airport will contribute to the growth and prosperity of the State and its people,” she added.

Earlier in her speech at a civic reception at Tura, Ms. Patil said she had been deeply impressed by the beauty of Meghalaya, its undulating hills, meandering rivers and its lush green forests and had been touched by the hospitability and the warmth of the charming and friendly people of the State.

She said in order to have growth that is sustainable, it would be important to build infrastructure in a manner that overcomes the obstacles of low connectivity and difficult hilly terrain.

Equal focus should be on building the skills and capacity of the people who would be the drivers as well as the beneficiaries of growth. It is important that growth is inclusive and is responsive to the needs of all, particularly the weaker sections. Meghalaya’s future economic growth must pursue agriculture, agro-industries, employment opportunities, environment protection, building infrastructure networks and industrial progress in a sustainable manner, she said .

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