Maa Mahamaya Airport and other UDAN projects launched by PM Modi

23 Oct 2024 CW Team

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Maa Mahamaya Airport in Darima village, Surguja district, Chhattisgarh, under the UDAN scheme, fulfilling a long-standing demand for air connectivity in the region. Built at a cost of Rs 800 million, the airport spans 365 acres and is classified as a 3C VFR airport, capable of handling aircraft with up to 72 passengers. The expanded terminal building is designed to manage an annual capacity of 500,000 passengers.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the airport's opening, highlighting its role in promoting tourism and economic growth. "The construction of this fully equipped airport will drive the development of the Surguja division and improve connectivity for residents and tourists alike," he said on social media.

The new airport will link Surguja with cities like Jabalpur, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Prayagraj, enhancing travel and business opportunities for the local population. Officials expect a surge in tourism and economic activity in the region following the launch.

During his visit to Varanasi, PM Modi also inaugurated two additional airports: Rewa in Madhya Pradesh and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, further expanding the UDAN scheme's reach. Combined, these three airports will increase passenger handling capacity to over 2.3 crore annually. The airport designs are inspired by regional heritage elements.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation for significant infrastructure upgrades, including a new terminal building and runway expansion at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, with an estimated cost of Rs 28.7 billion. Additionally, Modi launched new civil enclaves at the airports in Agra (Rs 5.7 billion), Darbhanga (Rs 9.1 billion), and Bagdogra (Rs 15.5 billion), aiming to boost regional connectivity and infrastructure development. (ET)

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..