As our country is set to surpass China as the world largest populous country in 2023, as estimated by United Nations, it is the right time for air travel in India to become the fastest growing aviation market in the world and also be more affordable. If that happens, the heavy burden on railways will lessen to a great extent. Regional connectivity schemes like UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) which aim to develop smaller regional airports might help achieve 40 crore air traveller target by 2027. Though I agree that India needs more airports which today stands at 136, there are many who say we need 200 airports in the country, we need to be careful. To go on a spree building airports nook and corner of the country will only turn most airports into white elephants, but also cause environmental hazards. China, with more and more white elephants is an example in front of us. India needs an infrastructural push but not at the cost of its own people and environment.
