The government is determined to strengthen tourism sector-related infrastructure as the industry has the capability to provide livelihood to the poor people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.
"Indian government is determined to provide such infrastructure that the tourism sector would be strengthened, because tourism is capable of providing livelihood to flower sellers, fruit-sellers, biscuit and chocolate sellers and tea vendors also. Tourism can possibly provide daily bread to poorest of poor also," Modi said after inaugurating the 'Garuda' terminal at the airport here.
The Prime Minister said Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models are also being followed to increase hotel accommodations in the country.
"But, tourism will grow only when we provide infrastructure at global level," Modi said adding that the government is providing e-visa facility due to which tourism is increasing.
Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu, Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Nirmala Sitaraman, Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu were among those present during the inauguration.
The Airports Authority of India has spent Rs 191 crore to build the new Garuda-shaped terminal which can handle code 'D' and code 'C' types of aircraft with link taxi, apron and associated infrastructure, AAI said in a statement here.
The new steel and glass integrated terminal building can handle 500 domestic and 200 international passengers at a time and has a peak-hour handling capacity of 700 passengers built over an area of 16,500 sq m plus 5,500 sq m of basement.
It has 18 check-in-counters, four immigration counters, four baggage conveyors for arrival and one for departure, three baggage claim carousels, two VIP lounges, and parking for 250 cars, an official release had earlier said.
