UP set to become India's first state with 21 airports

Highlighting the swift progress in the aviation sector, Uttar Pradesh is poised to achieve a remarkable feat as the first state in India with 21 airports, as announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the state assembly, underscoring the continuous growth in infrastructure across land, water, and air domains. Uttar Pradesh is on the verge of securing its status as the inaugural state boasting 21 airports. The surge in aviation infrastructure was emphasised by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia in January. Scindia noted that in 2014, Uttar Pradesh had merely six airports, a number that has now surged to 10, including the recently inaugurated airport in Ayodhya. Anticipating further expansion, five additional airports are slated for inauguration in the coming month, situated in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot. Notably, an international airport in Jewar is also on track to be operational by the conclusion of 2024, as confirmed by Scindia in January. The commitment to bolstering aviation infrastructure is evident in the allocation of Rs 11.5 billion in the Uttar Pradesh Budget 2024-25 specifically for the Noida International Airport. Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna outlined this provision for the establishment of the international airport and land acquisition in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar district. Phase one of the Noida International Airport project involves the development of 230 acres, with 33% designated for commercial purposes and 67% for industrial use. Commercial operations at the airport are anticipated to commence by the year's end, marking a significant milestone in Uttar Pradesh's aviation landscape.