Page 33 - NIS English 16-30 April, 2026

International Airports | INFRASTRUCTURE

Key Features of Noida International Airport
•n Noida International Airport is one of India's largest
greenfield airport projects.
•n The airport is equipped with modern navigation
systems—including an Instrument Landing System
(ILS) and advanced airfield lighting—enabling efficient
day-and-night operations in all weather conditions.
•n The airport has been designed to handle a cargo
volume of over 250,000 metric tonnes per year, a
capacity that can be further expanded to approximately
Before 2014, there were only 74 1.8 million metric tonnes.
airports in the country. Today, there •n The airport has been developed as a multi-modal
are over 160 airports across the transport hub, featuring seamless connectivity via road,
nation. Now, in addition to the major rail, metro, and regional transport systems.
metropolitan areas, air connectivity
is reaching even the smaller cities of ₹11,200 crore has been invested in the
development of this airport
the country. Previous governments
held the belief that air travel should
be reserved exclusively for the wealthy. 1.20 3,900
However, the current government crore passengers per year will be meter-long runway,
has made air travel accessible and the expected passenger handling capable of handling
affordable for the common Indian. capacity of the airport in its initial large-sized aircraft
phase, which is projected to reach operations, will be
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister 7 crore upon full development. part of the airport

Bharat’ train commenced operations; and the Meerut road and air networks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Metro witnessed expansion. The semiconductor stated that this multifaceted connectivity is positioning
factory is propelling India toward self-reliance in the Uttar Pradesh as a prime destination for investors
field of technology. The Meerut Metro and the Namo from across the world.
Bharat rail service are emerging as conduits for fast Acknowledging the contribution of sugarcane
and smart connectivity, while Jewar Airport is connect- farmers in reducing India’s dependence on crude oil,
ing North India to the global stage. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the pivotal role played
This region is now evolving into a central hub for by ethanol produced from sugarcane. He noted that,
two major freight corridors. Dedicated railway tracks were it not for the increase in ethanol production
have been laid specifically for freight trains, thereby and its blending with petrol, India would have been
enhancing North India’s connectivity with the seaports compelled to import an additional 4.5 Crore barrels
of Bengal and Gujarat. Furthermore, Dadri serves (approximately 700 Crore liters) of crude oil annually.
as the pivotal junction where these two corridors Ethanol has proven beneficial not only for the nation
converge. This implies that local farmers can now but also has yielded significant advantages for farmers.
rapidly transport their produce—and industries their This initiative has resulted in foreign exchange savings
manufactured goods—to every corner of the globe via amounting to approximately ₹1.5 lakh crore. n

April 16-30, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 31