Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kushinagar International airport on Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh with a flight from Sri Lanka marking the first to arrive at the airport carrying over a hundred Buddhist monks and dignitaries.
The airport will serve as a key move to boost the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit around the world.
"To develop the places associated with Lord Buddha, for better connectivity, special attention is being given by India today on the creation of facilities for the devotees. The development of Kushinagar is in the priorities of the UP government and the central government," said PM Modi.
The airport is the result of decades of hopes and expectations, said PM Modi as he addressed the event.
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“My happiness is two-fold today. As curious about the spiritual journey, I've a sense of satisfaction. As a representative of the Purvanchal area, it is time for the fulfilment of a commitment,” he added.
The Kushinagar airport will support the economic ecosystem in the area, Narendra Modi stressed saying it will also create new job opportunities.
"In UP alone, including this airport, 9 new airports and terminals have been made available to people. Jewar Airport, which will be India's largest airport, is also being worked on at a record pace," he said.
Kushinagar is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for followers of Buddhism from all over the world. It is the final resting place of Gautama Buddha where he attained Mahaparinirvana after his death.
Sri Lanka Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, who arrived in Varanasi along with the delegation of Lankan monks stated: "It (Kushinagar International Airport) is a great gesture of PM Modi and especially inviting Srilankan airlines to be the first international carrier to land at Kushinagar International Airport.”
Built at an estimated cost of ₹ 260 crores, the airport will be an advantage for domestic and international pilgrims by providing seamless connectivity to Lord Buddha.
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The airport will also serve the people residing in nearby districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Seen as a major step in boosting investment, the airport will boost employment generation in the region.
The approval for the Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh was given by the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister on the International Airport in June 2020.
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries also graced the ceremony.