Inauguration of Surat airport on May 1: Praful Patel

Surat, Jan 19 (UNI) Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today indicated that the work of Surat airport has been speeded up and the ministry is keen on inaugurating the airport on May 1, the Gujarat State formation day.

Mr Patel was talking to the media after making an air survey of the ongoing construction work at the airport in Magdella here. He said the fast development of the city in the areas of textiles and diamond industries had stressed the need of a full-fledged airport.

He also said that Surat airport will help to promote tourism industry in the south Gujarat region.

The Civil Aviation Minister said the ministry has plans to develop Ahmedabad and Vadodara airports and upgrade existing airports in Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Bhuj and Kandla. In the coming decades, the aviation sector will witness an unprecedented growth and even the common man will be able to travel by air, the minister said.

Cargo flights will help in transport of agricultural produce and also help the farmers to market their products, he added.

The minister said a 40 percent increase in domestic civil aviation sector is expected in the coming years and the government is all set to further the growth with the support of private players.

UNI