PM Modi: India Faces West Asia Crisis with Full Strength, Ethanol Reduces Oil Dependence
PM Modi credits ethanol, assures full-strength response to West Asia crisis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is confronting the ongoing crisis in West Asia with full strength, assuring citizens that the government is taking all necessary measures to safeguard the country. He made the remarks while inaugurating the Noida International Airport in Jewar, emphasizing both national security and economic preparedness.
“Conflict has been ongoing in West Asia for over a month. Due to the war, food, petrol, diesel, gas, coal, and other essential goods have been affected. There is a crisis all around, and every country is trying to face it. Our India is also fighting this crisis with all its might, relying on the strength of its citizens,” Modi said, highlighting the government’s proactive measures in response to international disruptions.
The Prime Minister underlined the role of ethanol blending in mitigating India’s oil import dependence. “If ethanol production and its blending in petrol had not increased, the country would have had to import 4.5 crore barrels of crude oil from abroad every year,” he noted. Modi added that the initiative has saved approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore in foreign currency, benefiting both the nation and farmers.
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In his address, Modi also highlighted the economic potential of the newly inaugurated airport. “Noida International Airport will create new opportunities for farmers, small traders, and youngsters of Western Uttar Pradesh,” he said, describing the airport as a catalyst for regional development and job creation. The facility is envisioned as a multi-modal transport hub, with seamless connectivity via road, rail, metro, and regional transport systems.
The first phase of the airport, developed at an estimated cost of Rs 11,200 crore, includes a cargo hub with an initial handling capacity of over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually, scalable to 18 lakh metric tonnes. The terminal’s passenger handling capacity will start at 12 million annually and can expand to 70 million. The Prime Minister also inspected the terminal during his visit.
Modi was accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and other dignitaries. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place for the event. The Prime Minister described the airport as marking a “new chapter in the journey towards a Viksit Uttar Pradesh and a Viksit Bharat,” linking infrastructure development with national growth and resilience amid global crises.
Also Read: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Leads Inter-Ministerial Group to Monitor West Asia Developments
