Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said India needs airports of global quality and 25 regional airstrips will be added this year.
“Logically there is no reason that airports and airlines in India should not do well. We have amongst largest number of people in the world, we have a large number of expatriate, we have economy which can legitimately claim the fasted growing economy of the world,” he said.
Jaitley said there a very large section of people who uses airport as a hub for their activity and its “obvious that India need airport of global quality”.
During this year alone, the Finance Minister said, the government has ambitious target of adding 25 regional airports to the already functional 70 airports.
“Time is not very far of when we look at country one of the few in the world which will have functional airports which will be literally in three digits,” he said at a function organised by Delhi Airport.
The Public Private Partnership (PPP) of Delhi Airport has completed 10 years and it has been a learning experience, he said, adding that it also shows India’s gradual progress story.
Citing examples of airports in Gulf countries, he said airports play a significant role in globalisation, connecting cities and countries encouraging international commerce and tourism.
Besides, Jaitley said the Railways is modernising 400 stations with participation of private players and make it hubs of commercial activity.
In seaports also private participation is helping government ports to turn around, he said.
The Minister also said people should get all kinds of modes for goods and passenger traffic. He said the government will exceed the target of constructing 10,000 km of road this year.