Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday said India should remain prepared to deal with any indirect impact arising from the worsening situation in West Asia, though he clarified that the current developments do not pose an immediate concern for the country.
Speaking during his first official visit to Ranchi, Jharkhand, the minister stressed that all sectors, including civil aviation, need to adopt a proactive approach to reduce any possible adverse effects of the international crisis on citizens and the economy.
During his day-long visit, Naidu rode a scooter to the residence of Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth before heading to the airport, where he inaugurated several new passenger facilities. He also unveiled a statue of tribal icon Birsa Munda on the airport premises.
Among the newly launched facilities were a feature wall, the ‘Udaan Yatri Cafe’, an ‘Aavsar’ counter, a Kids Zone and ‘Flyberry’. Under the Udaan Yatri Cafe initiative, passengers will be able to purchase tea for Rs 10 and snacks for Rs 20 at the airport.
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Welcoming the Civil Aviation Minister, Sanjay Seth urged the Centre to introduce direct flight connectivity between Ranchi and Varanasi and sought support for upgrading Ranchi airport to international standards. Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji also appealed for affordable airfares, saying expensive tickets create difficulties for ordinary travellers.
Addressing the gathering, Naidu said he felt honoured to unveil the statue of Birsa Munda, after whom the airport is named. He described the occasion as a tribute to the self-respect, heritage and aspirations of Jharkhand’s tribal communities.
The minister further said airports today are evolving beyond being mere transit hubs and are increasingly reflecting the identity, culture and economic activities of their respective states. He noted that modern airports are now linked closely with employment, tourism, trade, agriculture and local business growth.
Highlighting the changing aspirations of people, Naidu remarked that while earlier generations prioritised better roads, there is now a growing demand for world-class airports as symbols of development and connectivity.
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