‘A long-standing demand…’: PM Modi inaugurates 2nd international airport in Goa's Mopa | Top quotes

During his address at the inauguration ceremony, PM Narendra Modi took a jibe at the previous Congress government, saying earlier air travel was solely associated with “luxury”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the second international airport in Goa's Mopa, which will be named after late Manohar Parrikar. The coastal state already has an airport in Dabolim. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Modi said that the “approach towards creating infrastructure has changed with this government” and the newly launched airport is a “great example of this”.

PM Narendra Modi speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the Manohar Airport in Mopa, Goa, on Sunday, December 11, 2022. (ANI Photo)

The prime minister took a jibe at the Congress party during his address, saying earlier air travel was only associated with “luxury” because the government spent money on infrastructure that was not required in any manner.

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant and civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia were present with Modi at the inauguration ceremony.

Here are top quotes by PM Modi from the inauguration of the Mopa airport:

1. “I am happy that this International Airport in Mopa, Goa has been named after Late Manohar Parrikar Ji. The approach towards creating infrastructure has changed, with this government. The airport launched today is a great example of this.”
2. “Today, India has become the third-largest aviation market in the world. In the last eight years, India has made every possible effort to improve 'Ease of Travel' for tourists. We have increased visa-on-arrival facilities and simplified the visa process.”
3. “This was a long-standing demand of the people of Goa that the state needs another airport. The planning was done during Atalji's (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) government. But there was no progress after that. In 2016, we laid the foundation stone and now after the challenge of the Covid pandemic, the airport is ready.”
4. “We took the initiative to take air travel to the smallest cities of the country. We have expanded the airport network in the country and 72 airports have been built in the last eight years.”
5. “India of the 21st Century is new India, which is making a mark on the global platform, and as a result, the perspective of the world is changing rapidly.”