Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, inaugurated the much awaited ‘New Integrated Terminal Building’, popularly known as ‘Garuda Terminal’, at the Tirupati International Airport.
Stressing on the need for improving the tourism sector across the country, Mr. Modi said that the central government was focusing on strengthening the facilities at every tourist destination and transit points. “For the convenience of the tourists, both foreign and domestic, we will be setting up WiFi points, hotel accommodations (via PPP modes) and much more, to make their stay comfortable,” he added.
Urging the states to take up the same, Mr. Modi said that, tourism, which is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country, has the potential of offering employment opportunities even to the poorest of the poor. “Right from a fruit seller to a person selling biscuits, tourism destinations help people to earn something. Even a ‘tea seller’ can gain some money,” he added, followed by a huge applause from the crowd, as he reminisced his past.
Further, Mr. Modi emphasised on the need for building world-class infrastructures to attract tourists as well as make the tourism sector sustainable. Touted as one of the busiest pilgrim destinations, Mr. Modi hoped that the presence of the new terminal would increase the frequency and result in the development of the temple city. Terming the inauguration ceremony of the ‘Garuda Terminal’ as a memorable event, Mr. Modi wished the denizens of prosperity and happiness.
After taking part in the foundation stone laying ceremony of Amaravati, Mr. Modi arrived in Tirupati, accompanied by Governor E.S.L Narasimhan, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Union Ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju, M. Venkaiah Naidu and other dignitaries. He visited the photo galleries and viewed facilities at the terminal, including the sculpture made by Arun Pandit, depicting the ‘Garuda’ concept of the new building.
Later, Mr. Modi unveiled the plaque of Sri Venkateshwara Mobile and Electronics Manufacturing Hub in the Industrial Park near Renigunta. The hub spread over 100 acres will witness four giants of the Indian Mobile Industry – Celkon, Micromax, Lava and Karbonn, who have come together to form a Electronics manufacturing Cluster (EMC). They will produce over seven crore mobile handsets (including accessories such as chargers, headsets and speakers), together per annum and would provide 45,000 direct and indirect jobs.
