Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for cutting excise duty on petrol and diesel during the inauguration of Phase I of the Noida International Airport in Jewar. He said that despite global fuel price surges and supply disruptions, India has maintained stable prices and smooth availability due to the Centre’s long-term policies. He thanked the Prime Minister for the “historic” move, noting that even developed countries are facing high fuel costs while some neighbouring nations struggle with shortages.

The Union Finance Ministry reduced petrol duty from Rs 13 to Rs 3 per litre and eliminated duty on diesel. CM Yogi also criticized the Congress and Samajwadi Party, accusing past governments of creating developmental bottlenecks and pushing the state into disorder. He said that in recent years, Uttar Pradesh has shifted from stagnation to progress under the Centre’s leadership, gaining a new identity.

Highlighting the Noida International Airport project, he said it reflects the pace of development under the “double-engine” government, pointing out that the foundation laid in 2021 has now turned into a functional project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport’s first phase, built at an investment of about Rs 11,200 crore under a PPP model. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu described the airport as a symbol of both development and cultural identity, calling it a major achievement not just for Uttar Pradesh and Delhi NCR but for the entire country.

The airport, spread over more than 3000 acres, features a 4 km runway and is designed for international operations. It is expected to handle 12 million passengers annually in its initial phase, with the potential to expand to 70 million. Equipped with advanced navigation systems and a large cargo hub, it will also support significant freight capacity and include a dedicated maintenance facility.