Jodhpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport and launched the second phase of the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, aimed at strengthening air links to smaller towns and cities across the country. Modi arrived at the airport around 11 am and dedicated the new terminal to the nation. He later inspected the facility with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Governor Haribhau Bagade, Union Civil Aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.Addressing a public meeting at Pachpadra after dedicating the refinery to the nation, Modi said the new terminal and the next phase of the UDAN scheme would boost regional connectivity, tourism, trade and employment.Built at a cost of around Rs 480 crore, the terminal has come up on nearly 37 acres and is about six times larger than the existing facility. It is designed to increase passenger-handling capacity by nearly tenfold.The terminal features six aerobridges, allowing passengers to board aircraft directly from the building. It also blends modern airport infrastructure with architectural elements inspired by Rajasthan’s cultural heritage.
