India Plans To Increase Number Of Airports To 350 By 2047 For Enhanced Connectivity And Tourism

India is aiming to increase the number of airports in the country to 350 by 2047, according to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu.

In his address at an event held to mark the World Tourism Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Naidu also said his ministry is working on connecting more hinterland locations which are close to unexplored tourist destinations.

Naidu stressed the government's commitment to improving domestic connectivity while enhancing facilities and offering warm hospitality at airports, which he described as "gateways to a country".

"Today, we have 157 airports but in the next 20-25 years, when we are going to see the real Viksit Bharat in 2047, we want to increase the number of airports which is 157 today to the tune of 350," Naidu said at the event hosted by the Tourism Ministry.

Naidu also commended the Tourism Ministry after Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat revealed that under the 'Chalo India' campaign, 100,000 foreign tourists will soon benefit from visa fee exemptions.

"4.6 crore travellers landed in India in 2014, and now that we have increased the number of airports from 74 to a staggering 157... we are seeing almost 7 crore people landing in the country today. And, within these numbers, more than 35 per cent people are arriving for holidays and recreation only," the Civil Aviation Minister said.

Naidu said that his ministry is now connecting many previously "unserved" and "underserved" airports which are close to beautiful landscapes.

He praised the UDAAN scheme of the Narendra Modi government in making air travel accessible to the common man.

"We are looking at connecting more of these hinterland locations which are close to these unexplored gems by creating more airports also... We are completely in line with the tourism sector," the Union Civil Aviation Minister added.

He said his ministry is keen to improve seaplane and helicopter connectivity also.

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