Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday shared images of the new Jodhpur airport terminal, describing it as a major boost for tourism and connectivity ahead of its inauguration on July 4.In a post on X along with the pictures, the Prime Minister said, “Tomorrow, 4th July, is a very special day for the people of Jodhpur. The New Terminal Building of Jodhpur Airport will be inaugurated. Jodhpur has a very important place as far as tourism in India is concerned. This upgraded infrastructure will encourage more tourists to come to Jodhpur. It will boost commerce as well.”The images shared by the Prime Minister show the newly built terminal building designed with a blend of modern infrastructure and traditional Rajasthani architectural elements.The terminal is inspired by Rajasthan’s royal heritage, featuring arches, domes and design motifs reflecting local culture, as per official details.
Modified UDAN scheme to expand regional air connectivity
In a separate post, PM Modi also highlighted the launch of the Modified UDAN scheme from Jodhpur, aimed at strengthening regional air connectivity across the country.“From Jodhpur, the Modified UDAN Scheme will be launched. This will ensure that more people are able to fly and connectivity across India is enhanced. Focus will be on developing 100 aerodromes from existing unserved strips and allocating more resources to Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support,” the Prime Minister said in his post on X.The scheme focuses on expanding aviation infrastructure, improving viability of regional routes and enhancing access in remote and underserved areas.
Massive push for regional aviation under UDAN upgrade
According to official details, the Modified UDAN scheme carries an allocation of Rs 28,840 crore over the next decade and aims to develop 100 aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips with an investment of over Rs 12,000 crore.It also includes Rs 2,500 crore for operations and maintenance support and continues viability gap funding of over Rs 10,000 crore for airlines to sustain regional operations.The scheme further proposes the development of 200 modern helipads in difficult terrains and supports indigenous aircraft and helicopter procurement, including HAL Dhruv and Dornier platforms, as part of the broader push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Modern terminal designed for rising passenger demand
The new Jodhpur airport terminal has been developed at a cost of around Rs 400–480 crore and spans over 2.5 lakh square feet. It is designed to handle around two million passengers annually, with a peak-hour capacity of nearly 1,000 passengers.The airport currently handles over one million passengers a year, with traffic having doubled over the past 12 years, according to airport officials.The terminal incorporates energy-efficient systems, natural lighting, water conservation features and climate-responsive design suited for Jodhpur’s hot and arid conditions.It is also expected to significantly boost tourism, trade and employment in the region.Alongside the airport and UDAN rollout, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects in Rajasthan, including metro rail, highways and the state’s refinery-cum-petrochemical complex, which is expected to further boost energy and industrial development.The developments come as part of a broader infrastructure push aimed at enhancing connectivity, tourism and economic activity in the region.