PM Modi inaugurates Kushinagar international airport; regular flights to operate from 26 Nov

The long-awaited Kushinagar international airport was inaugurated today by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For those who don’t know, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is the final resting place of Gautama Buddha. It is here that he attained Mahaparinirvana after his death. Given its religious and historical significance, the government had decided to build an airport here for Buddhist pilgrims.

The airport, spread over an area of 2600 sq m, has been built by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in association with the Uttar Pradesh state government. As per the reports, the government has spent nearly INR 260 crore to complete the project. With this, the government is hoping to attract followers of Buddhism from across the globe to Kushinagar. The terminal can accommodate 300 passengers at a time during rush hours.
The Civil Aviation Ministry in a release said, "Journey of Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Rajgir, Sankisa and Vaishali of Buddhist circuit will be covered in lesser time."

During his inaugural speech, the PM said, "In order to develop the places associated with Lord Buddha, for better connectivity, special attention is being given by India today on the creation of facilities for the devotees. The development of Kushinagar is in the priorities of the UP government and the central government."
He further called Kushinagar airport the result of decades of hopes and expectations. He also talked about the importance of Kushinagar and called India the centre and birthplace of the faith of Buddhist people around the world and that Kushinagar airport is a gift to the Buddha followers.