Government Aims to Expand Airport Network to 350 by 2047 to Boost Tourism, Says Ram Mohan Naidu

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu announced on Friday that the government plans to enhance connectivity to 'unserved' and 'underserved' airports to discover and promote the hidden gems of the country, thereby tapping into the vast potential of the tourism sector.

Speaking at the World Tourism Day event, Naidu highlighted the remarkable increase in foreign travelers to India, which rose to 7 crore from 4.6 crore in 2014, with 35% of these visitors being tourists. "There is immense potential in this sphere," he stated.

As part of the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' initiative, the Ministry of Civil Aviation aims to more than double the current number of airports in India. "We want to increase the number of airports from 157 to 350 by 2047," Naidu said, emphasizing the government's commitment to improving regional connectivity.

The minister noted that under the regional connectivity scheme, UDAN, the government has operationalized 500 routes and is looking to expand hinterland connectivity further.

Reflecting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on August 15, during the country's 78th Independence Day, Naidu mentioned the focus on economic modernization, infrastructure development, and strategic reforms aimed at transforming India into a globally competitive, developed nation. The Prime Minister articulated a vision for the country, captured in the term 'Viksit Bharat 2047,' stressing the potential for India to achieve its developmental goals through collective effort and determination.

ET