India plans to expand operational airports to 400 by 2047: Government

19 Sep 2024 CW Team

The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that the number of operational airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024. The ministry aims to further expand this number to 350-400 by 2047.

In the past decade, the number of domestic air passengers has more than doubled, with Indian airlines significantly increasing their fleets. India is now the third-largest domestic aviation market, showing substantial growth. The total air passengers handled at Indian airports reached Rs 370.6 million in FY24, marking a 15 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the ministry's data.

The data indicated that the industry has undergone a significant transformation, moving beyond its previous limitations and evolving into a dynamic and competitive sector. This transformation has placed India at the forefront of the global aviation ecosystem, making it the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, following the US and China.

At the recent second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's advancements in technology and infrastructure within civil aviation. He emphasized the need to make the sector more inclusive for women. Modi pointed out that 15 per cent of India's pilots are women, which is significantly higher than the global average of 5 per cent, and mentioned that an advisory has been issued to increase this number further.

Additionally, the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), launched in 2016, aims to enhance connectivity to unserved and underserved airports in the country by reviving existing airstrips and airports.

Infrastructure Urban

03 Nov 2025

Vice-President Backs Global Unity at IN-STEP 2025

Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed delegates at the 3rd edition of the International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP) held at the Vice-President’s Enclave in New Delhi. IN-STEP serves as a key dialogue platform for senior national security officers from India and friendly foreign nations. The current edition hosts 44 delegates, including 32 international participants representing 24 Global South countries. Commending the joint efforts of the National Defence College, National Security Council Secretariat, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Defen..

India to Host Global Maritime Events in Visakhapatnam

India will host three major international maritime events in February 2026 at Visakhapatnam — the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, Exercise MILAN 2026, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs. Scheduled from 15 to 25 February 2026, this marks the first time India will conduct all three significant maritime gatherings simultaneously. The events embody Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — announced in 2025. The MAHASAGAR framework extends India’s SAGAR (Security and ..

Heavy Industries Ministry Frees 4.4 Million Sq Ft Under SCDPM 5.0

Inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision to institutionalise Swachhata and clear long-pending matters, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), along with its Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Autonomous Bodies (ABs), actively participated in the fifth consecutive year of the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM) 5.0, held from 2 to 31 October 2025. Throughout the campaign, MHI worked closely with the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, reporting daily progress on a dedicated monitoring portal. Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Minister..