Noida airport renamed after PM Modi; UP Dy CM Pathak cites Viksit Bharat vision
Synopsis
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has voted to rename Noida International Airport — one of Asia's largest greenfield airport projects — after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking his 25 years in public service. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak framed the decision as an inspirational signal to the youth on the Viksit Bharat@2047 journey, while CM Yogi Adityanath called it a moment of 'immense pride' for a state that elected Modi to Parliament.
Key Takeaways
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet passed a resolution on 9 October 2026 to rename Noida International Airport as Narendra Modi International Airport .
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the decision would remind future generations of PM Modi's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made the formal announcement, calling Modi's 25-year public service tenure 'pivotal to development.' The airport, located in Jewar , Gautam Buddha Nagar , is among the largest greenfield aviation projects in Asia.
BJP State President Pankaj Chaudhary and ministers Somendra Tomar and Danish Azad welcomed the Cabinet resolution.
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on 9 October 2026 passed a resolution renaming Noida International Airport as Narendra Modi International Airport, a decision hailed by state leaders as a tribute to the Prime Minister's 25 years of public service. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the renaming would serve as a lasting reminder for future generations to work toward the 'Viksit Bharat@2047' vision.
What the Cabinet Decided
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made the formal announcement following the Cabinet meeting in Lucknow. The resolution marks one of the most prominent symbolic gestures by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government in connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's milestone of completing 25 years in public life.
Pathak, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said: 'Taking a major step, the Noida International Airport has been named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will serve as an important lesson for future generations, reminding them of the Prime Minister's resolve to build a Viksit Bharat.'
Why Leaders Say It Matters
UP Minister Somendra Tomar described the occasion as a 'matter of great happiness,' noting that Modi, as the Member of Parliament from Varanasi, shares a deep bond with the state. 'We congratulate him,' Tomar added.
Minister Danish Azad said that under Modi's leadership, the way Chief Minister Adityanath had transformed Uttar Pradesh was 'exemplary,' and expressed confidence that the state would fully contribute to realising the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.
BJP State President Pankaj Chaudhary congratulated the Cabinet for the resolution, stating: 'The person who has made significant developmental efforts in Uttar Pradesh and across the country for so many years, deserves this respect.'
CM Adityanath's Assessment
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Adityanath described Modi's 25-year tenure in public service as 'pivotal to the development' of both the nation and the state. He emphasised that the Prime Minister was elected from Uttar Pradesh, making the moment one of 'immense pride' for the Cabinet.
Adityanath further noted that Modi has made service, dedication, and nation-building his core mission, and that India's global stature has strengthened measurably under his leadership.
Context and Significance
The Noida International Airport, under development in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddha Nagar, is one of the largest greenfield airport projects in Asia and is expected to serve as a major aviation hub for the Delhi-NCR region. Renaming it after a sitting Prime Minister is notable — critics may argue it raises questions about institutional naming conventions, though no formal opposition statement had been issued at the time of the resolution. This comes amid a broader pattern of infrastructure projects in Uttar Pradesh being linked to national political branding ahead of future electoral cycles.
The renaming resolution now awaits further procedural steps before the new name is formally gazetted and operationalised.
Point of View
Timed to mark Modi's 25 years in public life, and is likely to invite scrutiny over whether state infrastructure assets should carry partisan-era branding. The Jewar airport is a genuinely transformative project for Delhi-NCR connectivity; tethering its identity so closely to a sitting leader carries institutional risk if political circumstances shift. What the coverage largely glosses over is the procedural question: naming resolutions passed in Cabinet must still clear gazette notification and, potentially, central aviation authority approvals — none of which have been detailed publicly.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Noida International Airport been renamed after PM Modi?
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet passed a resolution on 9 October 2026 renaming the airport as Narendra Modi International Airport to mark Prime Minister Modi's 25 years in public service. State leaders also said the name would serve as an inspiration for youth working toward the Viksit Bharat@2047 goal.
What is Noida International Airport and where is it located?
Noida International Airport, also known as Jewar Airport, is a large greenfield aviation project located in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddha Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh. It is expected to become a major hub for the Delhi-NCR region and is considered one of the largest such projects in Asia.
Who announced the renaming of the airport?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the Cabinet resolution after the UP Cabinet meeting in Lucknow on 9 October 2026. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak subsequently addressed reporters to elaborate on the significance of the decision.
What is the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision that leaders referenced?
Viksit Bharat@2047 is Prime Minister Modi's stated goal of making India a fully developed nation by the centenary of its independence in 2047. State leaders invoked the vision to frame the airport renaming as a symbolic commitment to long-term national development.
What happens next after the Cabinet resolution?
The resolution is a first formal step; the new name must be gazetted and cleared through relevant procedural and administrative channels, including potentially aviation authority approvals, before it is officially operationalised.
