Sonia dedicates Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to nation

Hydeabad, Mar 14 (UNI)UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today dedicated to the nation the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), India's first Greefield airport project built under Public-Private partnership at Shamshabad, about 35 kms from here.

The Rs 2478 crore airport would commence commerical operations on March 16, three years from the day Ms Gandhi had laid the foundation stone for the project.

The airport, built to handle 12 million passengers in a year, is a joint venture company promoted by GMR infrastructure Limited, Malasian airport holding Berhat, Airports Authority of India and the Andhra Pradsesh government, has been developed into a world class international grade airport spead over 5500 acres.

Mrs Gandhi said the inauguration of the airport was a land mark aviation revolution unleashed in the country to enable to reach remote areas and stimulate economic historical and cultural growth.

She did not see any conflict in upgradation of railways and increasing air connectivity as air travel was no more elitist.

While public investmnet in the railways would remain, entry of private airlines had spurred opening of new routes and development stimulating growth even in the most distanct areas.

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