Budget 2014: FM Arun Jaitley proposes more airports in tier-II, tier-III cities

MUMBAI: Finance minister Arun Jaitley proposed more airports in tier-II and tier-III cities in India and introduction of e-vias at nine airports in the country, while presenting the first fiscal budget of the Narendra Modi government.

Earlier Jaitley in the Economic Survey said the government plans to build 200 airports in small cities in the next twenty years

A growth in India's middle class and local businesses have led to rise in demand for air travel in small cities.

Lack of proper infrastructure at airports has however discouraged airlines from starting operations to such destinations.

India had in 2006 decided to modernise 35 non-metro airports. Of that 33 have been completed while work at Khajuraho and Vadodara is on, Jaitley said in the survey.

Facilitation of e-visas at airports will make clearances faster, likely attracting more tourists to the country.

The Narendra Modi government has said tourism shall be a key focus area for his government.