*Says he is happy that the airport is named after his dear friend Manohar Parrikar
* The love received from Goa will be returned with interest in the form of development, says PM
Goemkarponn desk
MOPA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Manohar International Airport in a massive boost the air connectivity in the country.
“I am happy that this International Airport in Mopa, Goa, has been named after Late Manohar Parrikar; The approach towards creating infrastructure has changed with this government. The airport launched today is a great example of this,” said PM Modi.
He further said that the love and blessings he has received from Goa will be returned with interest in the form of development.
“The Mopa International Airport is an effort to return this love,” We took the initiative to bring air travel to the smallest cities of the country,” he added.
Prime Minister said that the government had expanded the airport network in the country, and 72 airports have been built in the last eight years.
“The previous government did not think of the middle-class people and did not invest much in developing airports. Travelling on an aeroplane was a luxury in the previous government,” he added.
PM Modi said that until 2014, there were only 70 airports in the country, mostly in large cities, but in the last eight years, 72 airports were developed.
PM Modi said in the previous government, money would be spent on infrastructure not required at all.
“This was a long-standing demand of the people of Goa that the state needs another airport. The planning was done during the Atal government. But there was no progress after that. In 2016, we laid the foundation stone and now, after the challenge of the Covid pandemic, the airport is ready,” PM Modi said.
Modi also said that India had become the third-largest aviation market in the world. In the last eight years, India has made every possible effort to improve ‘Ease of Travel’ for tourists.
“We have increased visa-on-arrival facilities and simplified the visa process,” he added PM Narendra Modi.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Mopa International Airport will generate employment for another 3,000 to 4,000 Goans and Pernem residents.
“Being a cargo-carrying airport, it will take Goa towards progress,’ said Sawant.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia said that for the first time in the country, two airports had been established in a city.
“Under the previous govt, not even a single airport was constructed in a year. Wherever there will be double engine govt, the development will happen,” Scindia said.