India to build 100 airports in 10 years: Naidu

Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced plans to construct 100 new airports across the country within the next decade. The initiative, part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN, aims to invest around Rs 30,000 crore for the development. Currently, India boasts 166 airports, a significant increase from the 74 recorded in 2014. Over the past 12 years, the nation has completed building or renovating an airport or terminal approximately every 40 days.

The plan is set to be executed under the Union Cabinet's approval in March for a 10-year period from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36. The scheme is expected to cater to the growing demand for air connectivity from smaller cities, remote regions, and islands like Lakshadweep and Andaman. The minister highlighted the importance of the new hub-and-spoke model, which is designed to enhance domestic and international connectivity by enabling international flights to operate from major cities and other existing airports.

Naidu announced the successful inauguration of India's third hub-and-spoke operations at Ahmedabad Airport, with support from Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. The scheme began with Varanasi and Amritsar, and Ahmedabad was chosen due to the substantial NRI population and persistent requests for better connectivity in the region.

The minister expressed confidence that Ahmedabad's hub-and-spoke model will set new benchmarks and contribute significantly to the nation's growth through economic activity and employment generated by the aviation sector.