Rewa Airport adds golden wings to Vindhya’s soaring aspirations

•Rajendra Shukla

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi used to say that the day is not far when even those in ‘slippers’ will fly in airplanes, the opposition would dismiss it as mere rhetoric. Such people should come to Rewa today and witness how a dream transforms into reality on the ground.

The date of October 20, 2024, is about to become historic and unforgettable for the Vindhya region. Our esteemed Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji, is going to inaugurate the much-awaited Rewa Airport. On this occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Rewa’s Minister-in-Charge Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, along with the MPs, MLAs, entrepreneurs, and citizens of Vindhya, will be present to witness this proud and historic event at the airport.

The honourable Prime Minister is inaugurating an airport in Rewa that, in the future, will emerge as the most important air traffic destination in North-Central India, propelling the region to new heights of development. It will pave the way for industrial investment and open global opportunities for tourism.

Two years ago, at the Global Investors Meet held in Indore, amidst entrepreneurs from around the world, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia (then Civil Aviation Minister) proudly announced that we are going to build and develop the sixth airport of Madhya Pradesh. This announcement drew the attention of industrialists across the globe, especially those eyeing opportunities in power and mining sectors, wildlife tourism, and the food processing industry. For those wanting to invest in education and health sectors, it opened doors of opportunities. Coincidentally, the Vindhya Investor Summit and Regional Industrial Conclave is being organized in Rewa on October 23. This airport will act as an accelerator for the holistic development of the Vindhya region, a belief I hold firmly.

I am pleased to inform you that the Rewa airport is being developed in multiple phases. In the first phase, a 72-seater passenger aircraft facility is being launched. In the next five years, the Rewa airport will be ready for Boeing landings and international flights. The day is not far when planes will take off from here to foreign countries as well.

The Rewa airport has been constructed in record time since its foundation was laid, and the Airports Authority of India and local administration deserve praise for this accomplishment. In terms of air traffic facilities, Rewa now stands alongside Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Khajuraho. We will continue to move forward in the future.

Given the competent and fruitful leadership in both the country and the state, I can confidently say that within the next five years, all of our dreams will fully manifest into reality. This is the beginning of the golden era of Rewa’s development, which stands as the center of hope for Vindhya in the Amrit Kaal of our independence.

When I say that Rewa has now started marching alongside the advanced and prosperous metropolises of India, it is based on solid ground. Until 1956, Rewa was the capital of Vindhya Pradesh, and its stature was equivalent to cities like Bhopal, Lucknow, Patna, and Bhubaneswar. Unfortunately, political vendetta robbed Rewa of the glory of being a state capital.

From 1956 to 2004, Rewa remained neglected and cursed. The natural resources that exist in Vindhya today were here even then. The aspirations and expectations of the common people for development were the same back then. However, under a compassionate leadership, the pain and emotions of the people of Vindhya were understood, and today, this region is leading in many aspects at the national level.

When I say that the Rewa Airport will become the most important airport in North-Central India, I visualize the Singrauli Power Complex. Singrauli’s thermal plants produce over 20,000 megawatts of electricity, making it the largest power complex in the country. The world-class road infrastructure between Rewa and Singrauli is nearing completion. Travelers who once took five hours to reach Banaras will now be lounging at the Rewa airport in just two hours. Vindhya’s 29 major industrial units, spread across a 225-kilometer radius, are connected by national highways. Rewa’s highway junction is already developed. For the officers of these industrial units, the Rewa airport will become a major convenience, something only they can explain better. Vindhya’s wildlife tourism holds global significance. Its white tigers are roaring in zoos worldwide. Every second tiger seen on television is either from Bandhavgarh or Panna. For tourists, traveling will become much easier. Rewa’s 750 MW solar power complex is one of Asia’s largest power production units. The beautiful waterfalls of Rewa, along with the spiritual sites like Chitrakoot (Lord Rama’s Tapovan) and Maihar (Maa Sharda’s shrine), are bound to attract more visitors.

The vast water expanse of Bansagar, once its islands are developed, will present natural beauty even beyond the attractions of Hanuwantiya. Vindhya is not only a power hub but also a cement production complex. Almost every major industrial house has invested here. Rewa is expanding its medical facilities like Nagpur and academic institutions like Kota. We proudly say that every tenth home in the country is lit by the electricity produced in Vindhya, and every tenth foundation is strengthened by cement manufactured here.

Currently, 300,000 hectares of land have been irrigated, and when Bansagar’s water reaches 900,000 hectares, the condition of the farmers here will be unimaginable. The purchasing power of Vindhya residents has increased, and this growing capacity will work towards making Rewa one of the most developed metropolises in North-Central India.

Rewa is progressing along the lines of Indore. Urban development rating agencies are calling Rewa a metropolis of immense potential. Based on all these factors, I confidently say that the Rewa Airport is going to add golden wings to Vindhya’s soaring aspirations.

The realization of Rewa Airport is the result of tireless efforts. I recall the date January 13, 2015, when a letter was sent to the Civil Aviation Ministry to explore the potential of an airport in Rewa. After that, the process gained momentum. When the affordable ‘Udaan’ scheme was launched, Rewa was included in it. The Airports Authority requested 258 acres of land for Rewa, which was promptly provided.

When the spirit of public service is strong, all tasks align smoothly, as seen with the transformation of the Rewa Airport from a mere concept to reality. I bow, humbled, grateful, and appreciative on behalf of the people of Vindhya and Rewa.

(Author is the Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh)