Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday recalled the challenges faced by the government while acquiring land for the Noida International Airport project and said he convinced farmers by asking them to consider the long-term benefits of the development. He made the remarks while welcoming 170 farmers who travelled on the first flight from the airport to Lucknow.

Addressing the farmers at his official residence, Yogi Adityanath said the land acquisition process had faced delays despite the government’s plans to develop the airport in Jewar. He recalled that after reviewing the situation, he held a meeting with around 100 farmers at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida to explain the importance of the project.

The Chief Minister said the farmers initially refused to give their land for the airport project, creating uncertainty for the government’s development plans. He said he requested them to take one hour to think about the decision, explaining that the airport could transform the future of the region and bring new opportunities for local people.

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Yogi Adityanath said the trust shown by farmers helped the government move forward, with the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority and the Civil Aviation Department speeding up the acquisition process. More than 13,000 acres of land were acquired for the project, which is being developed in four phases, with the first phase now completed.

Highlighting the future potential of the airport, the Chief Minister said it would become India’s first cargo and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre. He said the facility would help farmers export agricultural products globally and increase their earnings by connecting local produce with international markets.

The Chief Minister also outlined future development plans for the Jewar region, including food processing units, semiconductor facilities, data centres, a film city, toy park, apparel park, medical device park, and advanced IT and electronics hubs. He said several leading universities are also planning campuses in the area and credited the farmers’ decision with helping create what he described as one of India’s largest airport projects.

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