India to have 100 more airports by 2035:  Suresh Prabhu

Suresh Prabhu

Suresh Prabhu In an announcement that could improve the connectivity among far-flung areas across India, Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday said that as many as 100 airports will be constructed on an estimated budget of Rs 4.28 lakh crore in the next 15 years.

Speaking at an international aviation summit, Prabhu said that these airports would be constructed under Private Public Partnership model.

The country’s aviation sector is growing at a high pace with a record of 50 months of traffic growth in double digits.

“The vision 2035 is an inclusive approach and for that we appreciate the suggestions across the industry. Also, amendments in cargo policy will be considered which would help to improve freight transport through airways,” said Prabhu.

Projecting a growth in aviation passengers to around 500 million by 2037, he said that the country must envisage the necessary policy driven initiatives which could be conducive to the ideal functioning of the aviation industry.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha highlighted the growth in Indian aviation industry by calling it “unprecedented”. With International Air Transport Association (IATA) data showing an estimation of 500 million trips to India in the next 20 years, the development of the industry is quite evident.