UP Cabinet approves renaming Noida International Airport after PM Modi

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Friday approved a proposal to rename Noida International Airport at Jewar as Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said.

Briefing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Adityanath said the state government was grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the airport, which he described as a major gift to Uttar Pradesh.

“The Council of Ministers of Uttar Pradesh expresses its gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gifting the state the Noida International Airport at Jewar. The Cabinet has approved a proposal to name it Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar,” the chief minister said.

Adityanath said the airport was expected to become Uttar Pradesh’s largest airport and a major aviation hub in the country.

The Cabinet also expressed its appreciation for Modi’s leadership, guidance and continued commitment to the state, he said.

“The Council of Ministers reiterates its resolve to work continuously with full dedication, energy and commitment to realise the vision of a developed UP and a developed India by 2047,” Adityanath said.

Jewar airport: Foundation stone, inauguration and flight operations

Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of the greenfield Noida International Airport at Jewar on November 25, 2021. He inaugurated Phase-I of the airport on March 28, 2026, and commercial flights began on June 15.

The airport is being developed as the second international airport serving the Delhi-NCR region under a public-private partnership between the Uttar Pradesh government and Zurich Airport International AG. The project aims to improve regional connectivity and boost logistics.

Phase-I initially covered approximately 1,334 hectares, or more than 3,300 acres. The project’s planned expansion is expected to cover more than 5,000 hectares, with the airport billed as India’s largest upon full completion.

UP Cabinet congratulates Modi on 25 years as head of government

Adityanath also said the Cabinet had passed a resolution congratulating Modi on completing 25 years of continuous public service as head of government. October 7 marked the milestone.

“UP took particular pride in PM Modi representing the state as an elected representative from Varanasi since 2014, when he had said that ‘Mother Ganga had called him’,” the chief minister said.

Adityanath said coordination between the Centre and the state under the “double-engine government” had helped Uttar Pradesh move towards a new phase of development. He cited improvements in law and order, transparent governance, infrastructure and investment.

Expressways, highways and metro projects in UP

Citing infrastructure development, Adityanath said 42 national highways spanning 2,483 km had been built in Uttar Pradesh at a cost of around Rs 60,000 crore.

The Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun, Delhi-Meerut and Kanpur-Lucknow expressways had also been completed, he said.

The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat rapid rail system, built at a cost exceeding Rs 30,000 crore, had begun operations. He also cited metro network expansion in Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Meerut, Ghaziabad and Noida-Greater Noida.

Other projects highlighted by the chief minister included the Jewar international airport, freight corridors, Varanasi’s multimodal inland terminal, the defence industrial corridor and the proposed 1,000-acre PM MITRA textile park.

Farmers, housing and employment schemes

Adityanath said more than three crore farmers in Uttar Pradesh had received over Rs 1 lakh crore under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

He also listed loan waivers for 86 lakh small and marginal farmers, sugarcane payments exceeding Rs 3.30 lakh crore, housing for more than 65 lakh poor families, free foodgrains for nearly 15 crore people and tap-water connections for more than 2.46 crore rural households.

Other measures cited by the chief minister included:

– More than 6 crore Ayushman cards issued.
– 1.86 crore free LPG connections provided.
– More than 62 lakh smartphones and tablets distributed to young people.
– More than 9.5 lakh government jobs provided.
– 65 lakh private-sector employment opportunities created.

Adityanath cites Ram Temple consecration in Ayodhya

Adityanath also credited the prime minister’s efforts with fulfilling the centuries-old aspiration for the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya after a 500-year wait.

He added that “the flag hoisting atop the temple spire was a moment of pride for Uttar Pradesh and the country.”