PM Modi to inaugurate Mopa International Airport in Goa today

With an aim to boost connectivity in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Mopa International Airport in Goa on Sunday. The development comes in the wake of the Centre's constant endeavour of providing world-class infrastructure and transport facilities across the country.

The foundation stone of the airport was laid by the Prime Minister in November 2016. Developed at a cost of around Rs 2,870 crore, the airport has been built on the theme of sustainable infrastructure and has a solar power plant, green buildings, LED lights on the runway, besides rainwater harvesting, state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant with recycling facilities, among other such facilities.

"It has adopted some of the best-in-class technologies like 3-D Monolithic Precast buildings, StabilRoad, Robomatic Hollow precast walls, 5G compatible IT infrastructure. Some of the features of the airport include runway capable of handling the world's largest aircrafts, 14 parking bays along with night parking facility for aircrafts, self-baggage drop facilities, state of the art and independent air navigation infrastructure, among others," read an official statement by the Prime Minister's Office. Initially, phase I of the Airport will cater to around 4.4 million passengers per annum (MPPA), which can be expanded to a saturation capacity of 33 MPPA.

The airport is expected to boost the socio-economic development of the state and serve the needs of the tourism industry. It has the potential of serving as a key logistics hub, directly connecting many domestic and international destinations. It is also planned for the airport to have multi-modal connectivity. "While being a world-class airport, the airport will also provide visitors a feel and experience of Goa. The airport has extensively used Azulejos tiles, which are native to Goa. The food court also recreates the charm of a typical Goan cafe. It will also have a designated area for a curated flea market where local artisans and craftsmen will be encouraged to display and market their wares," the statement said.

In Goa, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate three National Ayush Institutes and address the valedictory function of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress. "The three institutes - All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Ghaziabad and National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH), Delhi - will further strengthen research and international collaborations and will also facilitate affordable Ayush services for people. Developed at a total cost of about Rs 970 crores, they will together increase the intake of students by around 400 along with the addition of about 500 hospital beds," the PMO said.

The 9th edition of the World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) & Arogya Expo is witnessing the active participation of more than 400 overseas delegates representing over 50 countries, international students and various other stakeholders of Ayurveda. T The theme of the 9th edition of WAC is "Ayurveda for One Health".

In Maharashtra, the Prime Minister will inaugurate projects worth Rs 75,000 crore.. Prime Minister will inaugurate Phase-I of Samruddhi Mahamarg, covering a distance of 520 kms and connecting Nagpur and Shirdi.

According to an official press release, Samruddhi Mahamarg or Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway project is a major step towards realising the Prime Minister's vision of improved connectivity and infrastructure across the country. The 701 Km expressway, being built at a cost of about Rs 55,000 crore, is one of India's longest expressways, passing through Maharashtra's 10 districts and prominent urban regions of Amravati, Aurangabad and Nashik. The expressway will also help improve the connectivity of adjoining 14 other districts.

In line with the Prime Minister's vision of integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects under 'PM Gati Shakti', the 'Samruddhi Mahamarg' will connect to the Delhi Mumbai Expressway, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and tourist locations like Ajanta Ellora Caves, Shirdi, Verul, Lonar, etc. Samruddhi Mahamarg will be a game-changer in providing a major boost to the economic development of Maharashtra. He will also dedicate the 'Nagpur Metro Phase I' to the nation, stated an official press release.

PM Modi will flag off two metro trains -- from Khapri to Automotive Square (Orange Line) and from Prajapati Nagar to Lokmanya Nagar (Aqua line) -- at Khapri Metro Station. Phase I of the Nagpur Metro has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 8650 crore. Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Nagpur Metro Phase- II, which will be developed at a cost of more than Rs 6700 crore.

He will also dedicate AIIMS, Nagpur to the nation during his visit to the state. The hospital has been set up under the 'Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana'. At Nagpur Railway station, the Prime Minister will flag off Vande Bharat Express that will run between Nagpur and Bilaspur.