Ranchi: Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Wednesday reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to developing Birsa Munda Airport into an international airport hub during his visit to Ranchi.
The minister said expansion of the Ranchi airport is among the Centre’s priorities and efforts will be accelerated to connect the city more strongly with national and global destinations.
During his one-day visit, the Union Minister inaugurated several new passenger facilities at the airport premises and also unveiled a statue of tribal icon Birsa Munda. The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji and several other public representatives.
New Passenger Facilities Launched at Ranchi Airport
Several new amenities have been introduced at the airport to improve passenger convenience, including the Udaan Passenger Café, feature wall, Avsar counter, kids’ zone and Flybery services.
Under the Udaan Café initiative, passengers will be able to purchase tea for Rs 10 and snacks for Rs 20.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister said modern airports are no longer just transport facilities but have become symbols of a state’s culture, tourism, trade and economic activity. He noted that people today seek better air connectivity in addition to road infrastructure.
Ranchi Needs Stronger Domestic and Global Connectivity
Ram Mohan Naidu said the airport’s capacity must be expanded to meet Ranchi’s growing requirements. He stressed the need to connect Ranchi with major Indian cities, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, as well as international destinations.
He added that passenger traffic at Ranchi airport has increased significantly over the last five years. Annual passenger movement, which earlier stood at around 1.7 million, has now risen to nearly 2.7 million passengers.
Expansion Talks with State Government and Defence Ministry
The Union Minister said discussions would soon be held with the state government and the Defence Ministry to move forward with the airport expansion plan. He assured that the Centre is seriously working toward improving both domestic and international flight connectivity from Ranchi.
Concern Over Future Energy Challenges
During his address, the minister also expressed concern over global developments and the possibility of future energy crises. He said India must remain prepared in advance for emerging global challenges in the coming years.