Maharashtra: NCP leader Praful Patel meets PM Modi, says briefed him about Birsi airport

Praful Patel with PM Modi on Sunday. Pic/Praful Patel/X

Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel, of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Patel told the PTI that he briefed PM Modi about the development of Birsi airport and plans to restart passenger flight operations from December 1.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft made a brief touchdown at the new Birsi Airport in Gondia district of Maharashtra on Sunday morning en route to Dongargarh in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, the PTI reported.

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According to the news agency, PM Modi landed at Birsi airport at 9:15am and left in a helicopter for Dongargarh, a popular pilgrimage spot, in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandagon district where he met Jain seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj.

The PM also offered prayers at Maa Bamleshwari Temple, located on the foot of a hill in Dongargarh in the poll-bound state.

IndiGo is scheduled to launch its daily service from Gondia to Hyderabad from December 1, an AAI official had earlier said.

Daily flights on the Indore-Gondia-Hyderabad route were flagged off on March 13 as part of the Centre's UDAN scheme.

However, commercial services from Birsi airport were halted in August last year when regional carrier flybig stopped its services five months after the launch.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released a video message for the people of poll-bound Mizoram seeking their support and blessings to make their homeland "marvellous".

Addressing the people of the northeastern state on the last day of the campaign, Modi in the video message said the BJP-led central government has taken steps to improve its various infrastructure including railway, health and sports.

Terming the people of Mizoram like his family members, he said it has always been a great pleasure for him to interact with the state's warm people.

"We gave prime importance to fulfil your aspirations, dreams and necessities," Modi said.

"Friends, the BJP is committed to creating a marvellous Mizoram. I am sure that we will get your support and blessings to make it happen," Modi said.
Polling for the 40-seat Mizoram assembly will be held on November 7 and votes will be counted on December 3.

The Prime Minister was earlier scheduled to visit the state and hold a public meeting at Mamit on October 30. His visit was, however, cancelled without citing any reason.

(with PTI inputs)