Air travel has turned into a necessity like mobile phone: PM
TNN Bureau. Updated: 12/16/2018 7:16:05 PM
National
Prayagraj, Dec 16 (UNI) Prime minister Narendra Modi has said that air travel has turned into a necessity and not a luxury like mobile phone.
"My dream that a person wearing a hawai chappal travel by air has been fulfilled as the aviation industry in the country is the fastest growing sector of the world. Air travel has become a necessity like mobile phone and it is not a luxary," he said.
Inaugurating the newly constructed airport terminal at Bamrauli here on Sunday before leaving for New Delhi, PM said that India is fast on the aviation sector.
"Can anyone believe that in the past one year more people travelled by air than air-conditioned coaches of Indian railways, which is a record of sort," he disclosed.
The PM also said that when after independence there were just 400 to 450 aircraft purchased in the country but in the past one year over 1000 new aircraft's were purchased or booked.
"The new aviation revolution in the country has boosted investment opportunity besides it has turned the country into a global tourist destination," he added.
Talking about this new terminal, he said that it was constructed in a record 11 month time and for the first time in history pilgrims want to visit Prayagraj during Kumbh can avail either road, water or air transport to reach the Sangam city.
The PM also said that the UDAY scheme has also benefitted the smaller cities where flights have started operating.
Union civil Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu welcomed the PM and said that India has emerged as the fastest growing aviation sector in the world.
"For the first time a global meeting of the aviation industry would be held in Mumbai next month which show how important India has turned for the aviation industry of the world," he added.
UP governor Ram Naik, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and state aviation minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi were present at the function along with others.