After 70 years of Independence, Uttar Pradesh is finally getting what it deserves as the “double-engine government” has ensured that the State transforms into the best connected region in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. He was speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of the Noida International Airport at Jewar in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.
“For so many years since Independence, U.P. was sneered at for poverty, caste-based politics, corruption, poor roads, absence of industries, arrested development and nexus between criminals and politicians. The people of U.P. would wonder whether U.P. could ever have a positive image,” Mr. Modi said addressing the massive gathering.
Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and many of his ministerial colleagues were also present at the event.
“Our double-engine government has ensured that today U.P. is transformed into the best connected region. In western U.P., there are projects worth several lakh crore. There is rapid rail corridor, expressway, metro connectivity, dedicated freight corridors. This is the new identity of a progressive U.P. This fast-paced development is a guarantee of a strong country,” said Mr. Modi.
He said that Noida International Airport will become the logistics gateway for northern India and will turn the region into an export-centre where even MSMEs will have easier access to overseas markets. The first phase of the airport will be ready by October 2024.
It will have a single runway and a passenger terminal building with a capacity to handle 1.2 crore passengers per annum by then. It will be developed over four phases until 2040, by when it will have the capacity to handle seven crore passengers per annum. It was proposed with the aim to decongest Delhi airport which will reach its structural capacity of 11 crore passengers by 2024.
Alleging that previous governments had ensured “deprivation” and “darkness” in U.P., Mr. Modi said the international airport at Jewar was an example of how previous governments ignored western Uttar Pradesh. While two decades ago the BJP had dreamt of an airport here, subsequent governments dragged their feet. But today, U.P. has world-standard educational institutions, and is a centre for investment from multi-national companies, Mr Modi said. Therefore, domestic and foreign investors today say U.P. means "uttam suvidha, nirantar nivesh (superior facilities, continuous investment)”. The airport in Jewar is being developed by Switzerland’s Zurich Airport International AG.
He said that unlike previous governments which announced several infrastructure projects but forgot about them, this government has ensured their time-bound implementation. “Infrastructure is not a political tool for us, but part of our national policy,” Mr. Modi said.
Taking on the Opposition, Mr. Modi said while some political parties in the country have always kept their self-interest paramount, “We follow the spirit of Nation First...Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas is our mantra.”
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the airport will increase employment opportunities for the people of U.P. He asked them to choose between the “sweetness of sugarcane” or “violence stoked by followers of Jinnah”.
“Uttar Pradesh will change the perception about it. Here too there will be development,” he said. The CM said multi-modal logistic and transport hubs with an investment of ₹3,880 crore, medical parks, film-city, defence corridors are all being set up.
Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia said Jewar airport will be U.P.’s tenth airport.
The State which used to have four airports will soon have 17 airports. From two international airports in Lucknow and Varanasi, U..P will have five international airports. These will include Jewar, Kushinagar and Ayodhya airports.
“Just like Delhi airport has brought development to southern parts of Delhi and Gurgaon, Jewar airport too will bring development to Noida, Greater Noida, and areas adjoining Yamuna Expressway. One lakh jobs will be created and investments upto ₹60,000 crore will pour in,” said Mr. Scindia.
