UP government pitches for airport at Saifai

Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan reportedly will hold a meeting with the state tourism department to look into all the possibilities of floating a fresh proposal for Saifai.

Akhilesh Yadav, 1987 Hashimpura massacre, Hashimpura massacre, Hashimpura killings, Uttar Pradesh government, Uttar Pradesh news, india news, nation new

Sources said Akhilesh has floated the idea based on the argument that it will be easier to get clearance to upgrade an existing airstrip.

After two-and-a-half-years of deadlock — first with the UPA regime and now with the NDA government — over construction of the Taj International Airport in western Uttar Pradesh, the state government is preparing to pitch for CM Akhilesh Yadav’s native place Saifai as one of the three new options where the airport can come up.

The three new options being proposed are Saifai in Etawah, Hirangaon in Firozabad and Bateshwar in Agra. Sources said Akhilesh has floated the idea based on the argument that it will be easier to get clearance to upgrade an existing airstrip — like the one present in Safai — into an international airport.

Sources added that as the sites proposed by RITES — consultant to the state government — could not get sanction in the last two years, the government will now prepare a fresh proposal to be placed before the Civil Aviation Ministry.

[related-post]

Story continues below this ad

On Friday, Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan reportedly will hold a meeting with the state tourism department to look into all the possibilities of floating a fresh proposal for Saifai.

A few months ago, Union MoS for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma had floated the idea of reviving the Jewar international airport project in Greater Noida, which was earlier proposed by the BSP government but was scrapped soon after Akhilesh came to power.

In 2012, the current SP government had proposed an international airport in Agra or some neighbouring area but none of the sites proposed on the basis of survey conducted by RITES were cleared by the Centre.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...

Security personnel lathi-charge protesters during a demonstration over the issue of 'I Love Mohammad' posters, in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (PTI Photo)

Bareilly protest over ‘I Love Mohammad’ turns violent: Stones pelted, vehicles damaged

Cities27 min ago

Tension erupted in Bareilly, UP as groups held processions supporting an "I Love Mohammad" banner. Police intervened, leading to stone pelting and damage to vehicles. Heavy police deployment brought the situation under control. No injuries reported. Protests were in response to a light board displaying the message, resulting in an FIR and escalating tensions.

View all shorts

Live Blog