Focussing on infrastructure development to boost tourism: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government was working to develop world-class infrastructure to promote tourism.

Inaugurating the newly-developed terminal building at Tirupati airport on Thursday, he said the work was being done simultaneously on various aspects to boost tourism, citing steps like e-visas, WiFi facility at places of tourism and development of hotel accommodation in public-private partnership.

Noting that many people come to Tirupati for Balaji darshan, he said that if the frequency and traffic at the airport goes up, it will give boost to tourism.

"Tourism is the fastest growing sector today. Its power is such that it gives employment to even poorest of poor. You can work with least investment," he said.

Modi said with tourism can help even fruit, flower, biscuit, chocolate and tea sellers make income, and the sector could develop to its full potential if global-level infrastructure was created.

The prime minister, who flew in from Vijayawada where he laid foundation stone for new Andhra capital Amaravati, said he had come to the sacred land to have 'darshan' of Lord Balaji (Venkateswara).

He went around the terminal and lauded its design resembling Garuda, the celestial carrier of Lord Venkateswara.

The new terminal has been developed in an area of 16,500 square meters at a cost of Rs.175 crore. It can handle 700 passengers.

Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, central ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu, Nirmala Sitaraman and other were present.