India, March 8 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Kota would emerge as a major centre of growth in Rajasthan with the development of modern infrastructure, including the new airport project.

In a video message at the foundation-laying of greenfield airport in Bundi's Shambhupura, Modi said that development in the Hadoti region, comprising Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar, is all set to gain fresh momentum with the project, to be built at a cost of around Rs 1,500 crore.

The prime minister said that before 2014, there were only about 70 airports in the country, but today, this number has increased to more than 160.

"These new airports have facilitated air travel, promoted tourism, created employment opportunities for the yo...