Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Phase 1 of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, pitching it as a major boost to connectivity, jobs and economic growth, while also targeting past governments over delays in the project.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and other dignitaries at the launch event held under tight security arrangements.
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The first phase of the airport has been developed at an estimated cost of Rs 11,200 crore and is designed as a multi modal transport hub, with connectivity planned across road, rail, metro and regional transport systems.
According to official details, the project includes a cargo hub with an initial handling capacity of over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually, which can be expanded to around 18 lakh metric tonnes.
The airport is expected to handle 12 million passengers per annum in its initial phase, with the capacity scalable up to 70 million passengers per annum in the future.
The Prime Minister also inspected the terminal after the inauguration.
BOOST FOR WEST UTTAR PRADESH
PM Modi said the airport would transform the region’s prospects.
“Because of this, Noida International Airport, Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Etawah, Bulandshahr, Faridabad and this entire region are going to benefit greatly,” he said.
“This airport is going to bring many new opportunities for the farmers, small and medium sized businesses and the youth of West UP. From here, aircraft will fly around the world, and it will become the symbol of the flight of developed Uttar Pradesh.”
‘VIKSIT UP, VIKSIT BHARAT’ PUSH
Linking the project to a broader vision, the Prime Minister said, “Today, we are starting a new chapter of the ‘Viksit UP, Viksit Bharat’ campaign. The biggest state in the country has now become the state with the most international airports.”
He also spoke about his association with the project. “You all gave me the good fortune to lay the foundation stone and also to inaugurate this airport,” he said.
ATTACK ON PREVIOUS GOVERNMENTS
PM Modi accused earlier governments of stalling the project.
“Noida Airport was cleared during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s time in 2003. But Congress and the regional governments here did not even allow the foundation stone to be laid. The project remained only on paper,” he said.
He added that the project moved forward only after the BJP came to power at both the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh.
GLOBAL CRISIS AND DOMESTIC IMPACT
Referring to the global situation, PM Modi spoke about the impact of the West Asia conflict.
“We are ensuring our farmers do not get burdened due to this crisis. India has continued its development journey even during this period,” he said.
He added that steps have been taken to ensure that common citizens are protected from the effects of rising global uncertainties, including fuel prices.
CEREMONIAL START
Ahead of the inauguration, a sacred artefact of Lord Buddha was presented to the Prime Minister.
The launch of Phase 1 of the Noida International Airport is expected to significantly enhance connectivity in Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region, while boosting trade, tourism and employment opportunities.
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Published By:
Prateek Chakraborty
Published On:
Mar 28, 2026 12:28 IST
