New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the growth of India's aviation market and its access to the masses saying, "Those wearing 'hawai chappals' should travel in 'hawai jahaz' (aircraft). I'm seeing it happening". He said that in the coming days, India will need thousands of aircraft, and the days of Made-in-India passenger aircraft are not too far away.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a public meeting after inaugurating the Shivamogga airport. "Shivamogga airport is grand and beautiful. At this airport, one can see the combination of Karnataka's tradition and technology. This is not just an airport. it is the drive for a new journey of the dreams of the youth of this area," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The Prime Minister lauded the work of the "double engine government", saying: "We all know that be it a vehicle or government, when a double engine is installed, its speed increases. Karnataka is moving ahead on one such double engine, it is running speedily. BJP's double-engine government has brought one more major change."
"Earlier when the development of Karnataka was discussed, it used to remain confined to big cities. But the double-engine government is making efforts to extend it to Karnataka's villages, and tier two and three cities. The development of Shivamogga is the result of that mindset," he added.
PM Modi also took a dig at the previous Congress government saying that before 2014, Air India was often discussed for negative reasons.
"Before 2014, when Air India was discussed, it often used to be for negative news. During the Congres rule, Air India was known for scams, as a loss-incurring business model. Today, Air India is taking a new flight before the world in the form of India's new capability," he remarked.
"In the time to come, thousands of aircraft will be needed in India... Right now, we might be importing these aircraft from abroad but the day is not far away when the people of India will travel in 'Make in India' passenger aircraft," the Prime Minister stressed.
The inauguration of the airport coincided with the 80th birthday of Karnataka BJP strongman and four-time Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who hails from Shivamogga district. Modi asked people to switch on their mobile flashlights to commemorate Yediyurappa's birthday.
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Karnataka has made up its mind to repeatedly give opportunity to "double engine" government, PM Modi said.
This is Modi's fifth visit this year to the State, where Assembly elections are due by May.
The new airport has been developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore. The passenger terminal building of the airport can handle 300 passengers per hour.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Yediyurappa were among those present on the occasion.