Vadodara: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated a new integrated terminal of Vadodara international airport at around 3.10 pm.

In his speech, the Prime Minister said: In May 2014 you all handed over responsibility of the post of Prime Minister to me, and in short time, two important tasks(related to Gujarat came before my office). One of them was that for which Gujarat was waiting for five decades. It was the one for which Gujarat was resisting, it was suffering difficulties. It was Sardar Sarovar dam height increase permission. As soon as I was in govt, it was one of the first works done in initial days. Sardar Sarovar that has been named after Sardar Patel was granted permission for increase of height. And I congratulate the Gujarat government for speedily progressing this task(of increasing height of Sardar Sarovar dam). I have full faith that Gujarat govt will complete this task before target date. Second(task before me was to start) the construction of airport building which was started in June-July 2014. Today Vadodara airport is poised to be among few of best airports in India.

These days, Government of India gives weightage to construction of environment friendly buildings with eco system related care. I am happy that after new government came to power, two airports became part of green movement in a way. One airport was recently inaugurated in Kochi in Kerala and the second one is being dedicated today to nation in Vadodara.

Zero discharge, waste to wealth, energy saving, environment friendliness(such elements have been part of construction process of this building)… and when such iconic buildings are constructed, common people too are excited. Initially the things look costly, but once if government intervene and initiate the task, they are possible to materialize in lesser cost.

There was a time when coal based power plant would dump ash in its surrounding areas and mound of ash would be taller than power station. Payment had to be made to remove such mounds. Neighbors would complain about it. This building has been constructed using coal ash bricks. It gives strength to structure and waste has been utilized to protect environment.

Aviation sector is progressing speedily in India. Nowadays middle class families also wish to travel by air. They don’t like to travel by train. Relatives would ask, have you come by train? They think air travel is better. It is connected to prestige too. As per an estimate, there will be a situation in coming five years, that people equal to America’s total population will be on airports across India in one year period. You can imagine, how much this sector is progressing. It will give boost to business. The government has introduced separate aviation policy to give further boost. There was no aviation policy in our country in the past, and therefore there was no vision where we want to take this sector to in next five-ten years. This is very big country. We can’t be satisfied with 80-100 airports. Tire two, tire three cities have same potential if they are benefited with air connectivity. New frontiers of development can be opened through them. Kutch, Keshod, Junagadh, Nagaland… such areas where today there’s no traffic can be actually covered through expansion in the sector in mission mode via public private partnership. The world is such today that connectivity has become very important, physical and digital both, highway and iway both. Air traffic is important. Air service is very much required for speedy growth of tourism sector. There are many possibilities in this sector.

People of Vadodara are today getting this new gift.Vadodara has its own identity. This will give further boost to Vadodara. Vadodara is known as cultural city. It is also a hub of education. Vadodara has made its place in technical education. Vadodara and Vidyanagar both have made their place when it comes to technical education. Government of India has taken a major decision which will continue to impact this city for next 100 years. That is government’s decision to set up first railway university in Vadodara. Entire world in the sector of railway if has reached 100, India is standing on 10. World has changed. Many innovations have taken place. Our railway is old, but it can be changed as per Indian requirement through innovations. Government of India has chosen Vadodara to make that change through Railway University.You can imagine how major change Vadodara is going to contribute to nation.

DeshGujarat