Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted India's rapid aviation growth under his government, contrasting it with previous decades. “In 70 years, there were just 74 airports. Today, that number has doubled to over 150,” he said.
Addressing a public event in Haryana's Hisar, Modi said, "Before 2014, there were 74 airports in the country, but today there are over 150 airports. Imagine 74 airports in 70 years? Every year, there are record airline passengers in the country. The airline companies have placed orders for 2000 new aircraft. On one the hand, our government is working on connectivity, and on the other hand, ensuring the welfare of the poor and social justice."
During his visit, PM Modi flagged off a commercial flight from Hisar to Ayodhya and laid the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Maharaja Agrasen Airport. The terminal will be built at a cost of over ₹410 crore and will include modern passenger facilities, a cargo terminal, and an air traffic control (ATC) tower. The project is expected to be completed within two years.
The newly launched Hisar-Ayodhya flight will operate twice a week, while Hisar will also be connected to Jammu, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Chandigarh with three weekly flights each.
PM Modi also unveiled development projects worth ₹10,000 crore in the state. His visit coincided with the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and other ministers were present.
Targeting the Congress party, PM Modi accused it of spreading the "votebank ka virus" for opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act and said it treated SC and ST communities like second-class citizens. “Babasaheb wanted the poor and backward to live with dignity. But Congress blocked their progress,” he said.
He also pointed out that lakhs of hectares under the Waqf board remain underutilized. “These lands could’ve helped the needy, but instead, land mafias benefited,” Modi added.
