Yogi Adityanath: In a pursuit to boost tourism in Uttar Pradesh
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has given its approval for the declaration of Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh as an International Airport.
Kushinagar is located in the north-eastern part of Uttar Pradesh about 50 km east of Gorakhpur and is one of the important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
Kushinagar Airport is located in the vicinity of several Buddhist Cultural Sites like Sravasti, Kapilvastu, Lumbini (Kushinagar itself is a Buddhist cultural site) and declaration as an “International Airport” will offer improved connectivity, wider choice of competitive costs to the air-travellers. It will result in the boosting of domestic/international tourism and economic development of the regions. It will be an important strategic location with the international border close by.
Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday said the decision to designate Kushinagar airport in Uttar Pradesh as an international one was “great news” and will provide better opportunities for the local people.
“Great news for Uttar Pradesh, tourism, and those inspired by the noble thoughts of Lord Buddha! Kushinagar Airport will now be an international airport. Connectivity will improve significantly. More tourists and pilgrims will also mean better opportunities for the local population,” Modi tweeted after the Union Cabinet in its meeting gave its approval to declare Kushinagar airport as an international airport.
The “Buddhist Circuit” is a key pilgrimage destination for 530 million practising Buddhists across the globe. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath thanked the Prime Minister for the decision to upgrade the Kushinagar airport.
“I thank PM Narendra Modi and the Union Cabinet for declaring Kushinagar Airport as an international airport. The move will help boost tourism in Uttar Pradesh due to the airport’s proximity to Shravasti, Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Sarnath, and Gaya tourist places,” ANI quoted Adityanath as saying.