Kushinagar in UP set to get international airport: Government

NEW DELHI: Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is set to get an international airport to boost Buddhist tourism, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma, who is also Minister of State for Civil Aviation, said most of the formalities have been completed and the UP government as well as the Centre have taken steps forward to upgrade Kushinagar into an international airport.

The final decision will be announced shortly, he said responding to questions in the House.

He said Heritage Tourism Circuit was launched last year in December under which places relevant to the life and events surrounding Mahatma Gandhi will also be developed.

Though government had thought of a 'Gandhi Circuit', the places which hold relevance to his life will be covered under the Heritage Circuit, Sharma said.

Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, so far 13 thematic circuits have been identified for development. These include North East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit and the Heritage Circuit, he said.