Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Kushinagar International Airport in the Parinirvana of Lord Buddha in Uttar Pradesh today, October 20. The airport aims to promote tourism on the Buddhist circuit. PM Modi along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, eminent monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, Cambodia and ambassadors of various countries will participate in a program on the occasion of Abhidhamma Divas at Mahaparinirvana Temple on Wednesday.
The ancient city of Kushinagar is the final resting place of Gautam Buddha, where he attained Mahaparinirvana after his death.
inauguration of Kushinagar International Airport The landing at the airport from Colombo, Sri Lanka will be marked by the landing of the inaugural flight, which includes a Sri Lankan delegation of more than 100 Buddhist monks and dignitaries, including a 12-member Sacred Relic, to put the relics of the Sacred Buddha on display. are bringing.
The delegation also includes the Anunayakas (Deputy Heads) of all the four Nikats (Orders) of Buddhism in Sri Lanka; Asgiriya, Amarapura, Ramanya, Malvatta as well as five ministers of the Lanka government led by cabinet minister Namal Rajapaksa.
Here’s what you need to know about Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh:
1. The Kushinagar Airport It is spread over an area of 3,600 sqm. The airport has been constructed at an estimated cost of ₹260 crores.
2. The new terminal is equipped to handle 300 passengers during peak hours. Kushinagar is an international Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Lord Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. It is also the focal point of the Buddhist circuit, which includes pilgrimage sites at Lumbini, Sarnath and Gaya.
3. This will be the third international airport of Uttar Pradesh. Presently, Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi – are operational in the state. While the fourth airport at Jewar Gautam Budh Nagar will be operational soon.
4. The airport will help in attracting more followers of Buddhism from home and abroad to Kushinagar and will enhance the development of Buddhist themed circuits. The Buddhist circuit’s journey to Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Rajgir, Sankisa and Vaishali will be completed in less time.
5. Direct aviation links with South Asian countries will make it easier for tourists from Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore etc. to reach Kushinagar and experience the rich heritage of the region.
6. The airport will serve a population of over two crore as the airport has a hinterland of around 10-15 districts and will be a major support for the large migrant population of eastern Uttar Pradesh and western/northern part of Bihar.
7. This will also boost the export opportunities of horticultural products like bananas, strawberries and mushrooms.
8. The tourism flow is expected to increase by 20% with the inauguration of UDAN.
9. The Union Cabinet in June last year had approved the status of Kushinagar airport as an international facility, saying it would offer better connectivity to the important Buddhist pilgrimage site.
10. Kushinagar Airport has a 3.2 km x 45 m long runway with an apron that can accommodate four B737-900 type aircraft at a time.
After the inauguration of Kushinagar International Airport, PM Modi will attend a public function at Barwa Jungle in Kushinagar. In the ceremony, he will lay the foundation stone of the Government Medical College, which will be built at a higher cost. ₹280 crores.
According to the PMO statement, the college will have a 500-bed hospital and will provide admission to 100 students in MBBS course in the academic session 2022-2023. Will also inaugurate and lay foundation stones for 12 development projects worth more than the Prime Minister ₹180 crores on Wednesday
Don’t miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint.
download
Our App Now!!
.