Make Kota airport operational: Rahul to Modi

New Delhi : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the airport at Kota city in Rajasthan operational, citing its need by thousands of students who go there from across the country to train for competitive exams.

"With over 1.5 lakh students across India, studying in coaching centres each year in Kota, it is critical to have proper air connectivity. Currently, lakhs of students and their families are inconvenienced by the absence of an airport," Gandhi said in his letter to the Prime Minister.

"Kota will benefit immensely from improved air linkages to the major metropolitan cities of India considering its strategic location on the tourist map, along with its strong industrial base and its local craft," he wrote.

Gandhi recommended to Modi to upgrade the only airport in the city or construct a new one to handle commercial flights.