Kolkata: The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, reached a historic milestone today, marking 100 years of service. The centenary celebrations were inaugurated with the unveiling of a commemorative logo by the Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, signifying a century of progress and legacy in Indian aviation.
The event, held at the airport, was graced by Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Vipin Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and AAI.
Addressing the gathering, Rammohan Naidu highlighted the profound significance of the centenary, stating, “This is a proud moment for all of us, where we are continuing the legacy built by our nation and drawing inspiration from it for future achievements. The airport has catered to crores of passengers and stood as a vital gateway for Bengal and the country through significant historical milestones.” He echoed the words of the Prime Minister, emphasizing the importance of balancing development with heritage, or “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi.”
Reflecting on India’s civil aviation growth over the past decade, Naidu remarked, “In the last ten years, the expansion of airports, passenger capacity, airline fleets, and cargo operations have redefined the sector. We are now the third-largest domestic aviation hub in the world, and our aim is to become the top domestic aviation hub globally.”
The Minister lauded the revolutionary impact of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which has democratized air travel in India. “Over the last eight years, we have launched more than 600 flights under UDAN, transporting crores of people. The vision of ‘Hawai Chappal in Hawai Jahaz’ has become a reality. As we celebrate 100 years of Kolkata Airport, this serves as both inspiration and pride for the entire nation,” he said.
To commemorate the airport’s centenary, the Minister announced several initiatives:
- Commemorative Stamp and Coin: Honoring 100 years of the airport.
- Art Book Launch: Showcasing India’s cultural heritage reflected in modern airport architecture.
- Three-Month-Long Celebrations: Involving the people of Kolkata, Bengal, and AAI.
- Introduction of the UDAN Yatri Cafe: A unique café catering to passengers traveling under the UDAN scheme, offering quality food at affordable prices.
Naidu also emphasized the significant upgrades at Kolkata Airport in recent years, including enhanced capacity, additional services, and world-class infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Minister noted the airport’s historical importance, from serving during the pre-independence era to supporting the nation through the post-independence and LPG reform periods. He credited the government’s dedication to transforming India’s aviation sector, with Kolkata Airport as a prime example of this progress.
Concluding his address, Naidu highlighted the sector’s critical role in economic growth and job creation. “The civil aviation sector is one of the fastest-growing in the country. With the unwavering focus of our Prime Minister and a dedicated team, we are confident of achieving even greater milestones in the next five years.”
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