Page 31 - NIS English 2021 November 16-31

BUDDHIST CIRCUIT:

TAKE-OFF OF THE FLIGHT OF DREAMS

Deprived of development for a long time, Uttar Pradesh is now creating a new identity in the country
and the world. The double engine government at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh is committed
to regain the glory of the state which was left behind because of the neglect by the previous
governments. One such example is the launch of the Kushinagar International Airport, which falls
under the Buddhist circuit, in a record time.
uilding futuristic infrastructure is now one of the top priorities n The Kushinagar airport's new terminal
Bof the country. The PM GatiShakti has been launched to building, which is spread across 3,600 square
speed up infrastructure construction in the virtuous period of meters, has been completed in a record five
Amrit Kaal with the resolve to connect every part of the country months.
with modern and multimodal connectivity in order to ensure n This terminal has the capacity to handle 300
seamless development. Over the last few years, the aviation passengers at a time. The runway of this
sector has scaled new heights in the development journey of airport is capable of handling Airbus-321 and
the country. While there were only 74 airports in the country till Boeing-737 and other types of aircraft.
2014, 62 new airports have been made operational in the last n Development of Kushinagar airport will not
seven years. The UDAN scheme has made it possible for the only give a boost to tourism and hospitality
sector here, more than 20 million population
common man living in tier-3 cities even to fly anywhere to the of adjoining districts will get an opportunity
country and abroad. to connect with the world by air.
Uttar Pradesh, in particular, has benefited from these efforts n This will increase investment here and
of the Government of India. Agra, Hindon, Kanpur, Bareilly and encourage economic activity, create
Prayagraj airports are already operational under the UDAN employment and business opportunities.
scheme. Within a few months, five more airports at Aligarh, Also, export of local products will be possible.
Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Mayurpur and Shravasti will be ready n Kushinagar airport is situated at a distance
offering air connectivity to every geographical part of the state. of just 5 km from National Highway No. 28
The Central and State Governments are continuously and 18 km from the nearest railway station
making efforts for the holistic development of Buddhist Circuit Padrauna. Multimodal connectivity will give
through world class road, rail and air connectivity. As part of a new impetus to the development of this
this, an international airport has been built in the holy land of region. It has been inaugurated within a year
of cabinet approval. There will be direct air
Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana 2500 connectivity with South Asian countries
years ago. With this, Buddhists and tourists of the country and n Development of Buddhist circuit, including
abroad, especially from South Asia and South East Asia, will pilgrimage sites at Lumbini, Sarnath and
be able to travel to Kushinagar directly. Earlier, the Buddhist Gaya
followers had to take circuitous route to reach Kushinagar in n Increase in tourist arrivals both domestic as
the absence of direct international connectivity. The operation well as international
of the Kushinagar airport will now make it easier for tourists n Export of local horticultural products will be
to visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar as well as encouraged
important Buddhist pilgrimage centres in the region such as n Foundation stone laid for 12 projects,
Sarnath, Shravasti, Sankisa and Lumbini. including Government Medical College

Scan the QR codes to listen to the
Prime Minister's address at the
inauguration of various schemes New India Samachar November 16-30, 2021 29
in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.