Noida International Airport takeoff: PM Narendra Modi unveils mega hub, flags 'Viksit Bharat' push amid global turbulence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled Phase I of the Noida International Airport, pitching it as a launchpad for jobs, connectivity and India’s next growth leap, even as he flagged global headwinds from the West Asia conflict.

Built at a total cost of around Rs 11,282 crore, the first phase of the airport has seen Rs 6,876 crore invested by the concessionaire and Rs 4,406 crore spent by the Uttar Pradesh government on land acquisition.

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Striking a personal note, Modi said, "Only half of the work is done, I have just removed the veil, but the airport inauguration will be done by the people here."

He framed the project as a generational catalyst. "The airport is going to give new heights to the future of young people," he said, adding that it marks "a new chapter of Viksit UP and Viskit India."

Highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s aviation surge, Modi said the state is now among those with the highest number of international airports. He added that the Noida hub will benefit a wider hinterland — including Agra, Mathura, Ghaziabad, Etawah, Faridabad and Bulandshahr — while unlocking opportunities for small businesses, farmers and youth.

The Prime Minister also pointed to the broader infrastructure push in western Uttar Pradesh, calling the airport the fourth major project rolled out in recent weeks after the Noida semiconductor facility, the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat train and the Meerut Metro. "All projects are great examples of Viksit Bharat," he said, adding that at full tilt, "there will be a flight departing every 2 mins from this airport."

On global risks, Modi said, "The world is worried about West Asia war. The war has affected many countries in forms of food, energy, fuel… every country is trying to face this rising challenge in West Asia." He added that India is working to manage the fallout and "the government is taking every step to prevent burden on families."

Positioning the region as a logistics powerhouse, Modi said the area is emerging as one of the country’s biggest freight corridors, boosting links to ports in Bengal and Gujarat and enabling farmers to access global markets faster. "What farmers grow here will reach the corners of the world in speed… this is multi modern connectivity," he said, while thanking farmers for land acquisition and their role in ensuring food security.

He also used the platform to contrast past delays, saying the airport was first envisioned in 2003 during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government but remained stalled for a decade thereafter.

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Modi underscored India’s rapid aviation expansion, noting that the number of airports has risen from 74 before 2014 to over 160 now. "The smallest cities are starting to have air connectivity. BJP government has made sure airports are being made and are accessible to everyone," he said.

Looking ahead, he said Rs 29,000 crore has been earmarked to boost aviation infrastructure, with plans to build 100 new airports and 200 helipads. "India's aviation sector is growing and building at good pace… government is increasing training in aviation sector," he added, pointing to strong aircraft orders by domestic airlines.