New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that air travel in India is no longer a luxury of the elite. Giving credit to PM Modi for making Air Travel as a common man’s mode of travel Dr Jitendra Singh said, it is now a common sight at airports to see people wearing "Hawai" chappal boarding the "Hawai-Jahaz". He was speaking at an event "Aerospace & Aviation in 2047" at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre here in New Delhi.

This has been possible not only due to affordable air fare, but also the number of airports has more than doubled in the last over 9 years from 75 in 2014 to over 150 today, the Minister added.

Dwelling on the Aeronautical and Space sectors, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that after India’s totally indigenous Maiden Manned Mission Gaganyaan in 2025, India will have its own Space Station by 2035 and an indian will land on Moon in 2040. He further said that after the unlocking of the Space Sector in 2020, there are now around 150 deep tech Start-Ups working in this sector from a mere 4-5 in 2014.

Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that the Indian aerospace sector has evolved significantly, and we find ourselves at the cusp of unprecedented achievements. From the successful Chandrayaan-3, Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya L1 and coming missions from ISRO such as Gaganyaan, the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, and state-of-the-art missile systems by DRDO and other related technologies by Public sectors/private industries and startups, our scientists and engineers have showcased India's prowess on the global stage, the Minister noted.

The Minister said, all the above global scale missions are examples of “Whole of Science”, “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society” approach.

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