Jaitley says India will get 25 new airstrips in 2016

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday that India needs airports of global quality and 25 regional airstrips will be added this year. "Logically there is no reason that airports and airlines in India should not do well. We have amongst largest number of people in the world, we have a large number of expatriate, we have economy which can legitimately claim being the fastest growing economy of the world," he said.

Jaitley said there is a very large section of people who use airports as a hub for their activity and its "obvious that India needs airport of global quality". This year alone, the Finance Minister said, the government has ambitious target of adding 25 regional airports to the already functional 70 airports.

"Time is not very far off when India will be one of the few countries in the world with functional airports in literally three digits." Citing examples of airports in Gulf countries, he said airports play a significant role in globalisation, connecting cities and countries encouraging international commerce.Besides, Jaitley said the Railways is modernising 400 stations with participation of private players and make it hubs of commercial activity.

In seaports also private participation is helping government ports to turn around, he said. Jaitley also said people should get all kinds of modes for goods and passenger traffic. He said the government will exceed the target of constructing 10,000 km of roads this year.