Jaipur, March 8 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the new airport in Kota district is an example of a committed government and it will act as a catalyst for the state's economic and industrial growth. Virtually laying the foundation stone of the Kota Greenfield Airport through a video message, the Prime Minister said, "This airport shows how a committed government can work. Rajasthan is progressing at an unprecedented pace, with the new airport set to become a catalyst for economic and industrial growth. It will create several new opportunities for the people of Hadoti region." He further said, "Today is a day of new hope for Kota, Bundi, Baran, and Jhalawar as the modern airport, being built at a cost of approximately Rs.1,500 crore is going to give new momentum to the development of the entire region. It will connect Kota with the entire world along with its excellent roads and railway network." Recalling his visit in November 2023, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the promise made to the people regarding the airport is now being fulfilled. "When this airport starts, travel will be easy and trade will grow rapidly in the entire area including Kota. People from the Hadoti region will not have to visit Jaipur or Jodhpur to take flights that kill their time a lot," he added. Modi also described Kota as a unique centre of both education and energy, producing electricity from nuclear, coal, gas, and water sources. He praised the global identity of Kota Doria saris, Kota stone, and local agricultural produce like Bundi's Basmati rice. Discussing the region's tourism potential, the Prime Minister mentioned the spiritual significance of Shri Mathuradhish Ji and Garadia Mahadev alongside wildlife hubs like Mukundara Hills. "The enhanced air connectivity would now bring more global tourists to the region, and its direct benefit will be available to the youth, traders, and the local economy here," he emphasised. The Prime Minister also touched upon the broader connectivity revolution in Kota, including the modernization of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat scheme and the impact of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. During the event, the Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota-Bundi MP Om Birla, and chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma were also present on the stage. "It's our Prime Minister who turned the civil aviation sector into civilian's aviation in the last few years. When he came to power in 2014, there were only 74 airports in the country which has now risen to 160. Is there any other PM in the world who was able to achieve this goal?" said Naidu. He also assured that the ministry had a discussion with the Rajasthan government and identified many other places in the state with the potential to build airports to make the travel experience smoother for the people. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla, said, "GoI and the AAI will work together to finish the work on this new airport of Kota in next two years. This will make this city a hub for education, industry, and employment. This is the dream of our double engine government which is now taking a shape." Addressing the event, the chief minister said, "The state government is working on a plan to improve air connectivity and provide state-of-the-art air facilities. The RCS-UDAN scheme should be implemented to expand and enhance air services between various districts and to introduce new flights from major airports. We are also working on a framework for establishing a civil enclave in Suratgarh. We have directed to develop the Lalgarh airstrip and exploration of new greenfield airports in Deeg-Kumher, Sirohi, Sikar, and Bhiwadi. The AAI will soon conduct a survey in those areas." He hoped that this new airport will foster regional development and provide an alternative airport in case of emergencies. "It will also boost tourism, business activities, and benefit expatriate Rajasthanis. I have also directed to speed up the work of new civil enclave and approach road at Uttarlai Airport."...