100 airports to connect small cities by air: PM

Kishangarh (Ajmer): Small cities in the country will have air connectivity with a network of more than 100 airports, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said.
The first such airport will come up in Kishangarh town in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, he said after laying the foundation stone for the development of the airport which is scheduled to get operational by 2016.

The Prime Minister said that the Kishangarh airport, to be set up at an estimated cost of 161 crore in first phase, will accelerate economic activities and growth in the area.

“Ajmer is a noted tourist destination having famous dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti and Brahma temple in Pushkar town. Besides, the region is known for industries including that of marble and the new project of airport will push economic growth,” he said.

Singh said that passenger load has increased significantly and the trend would continue.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Union MoS for Corporate affairs Sachin Pilot were among others present on the occasion.