Archive · 16 Sep 2026
PM Modi’s Birthday Spurs 24-Day Airport Passenger Service Programme
Airports in India are planning a 24-day programme called the Yatri Sewa Abhiyan.
It starts on September 17, Narendra Modi’s birthday, and ends on October 10.
The programme is meant to improve passengers’ experiences at airports.
Activities will include cultural performances, roses for passengers and forehead tilaks.
Airports will also check whether passengers can find their way from the entrance to their boarding gate without help.
Officials plan to record some passenger journeys and send the videos to their headquarters.
One day will focus on cleaning airports and another set of measures will help wheelchair users.
Officials also want to reduce traffic problems and remove touts.
Some airport staff said lasting improvements matter more than a special programme, while another senior official said it is officially about passenger service.
The Airports Authority of India plans a 24-day Yatri Sewa Abhiyan from September 17 to October 10.
The programme will run at Calcutta and other government-run airports, featuring cultural events and passenger-outreach activities.
Planned measures include easier signage, cleaner facilities, smoother wheelchair access, reduced parking congestion and action against touts.
Standees featuring Narendra Modi will be placed in airport areas for passengers to take selfies.
An airport official criticized the programme’s focus, saying everyday problems such as damaged chairs and bureaucratic delays need greater attention.
- Who
- The Airports Authority of India, Calcutta airport officials and other government-run airports are organizing the programme; Narendra Modi is the public figure whose birthday coincides with its start.
- What
- A 24-day Yatri Sewa Abhiyan featuring cultural events, passenger outreach and measures intended to improve airport services.
- When
- September 17 through October 10; September 17 will be observed as Sewa and Sankalp Diwas.
- Where
- Calcutta airport and other government-run airports across India.
- Why
- Officially, the programme is intended to improve passenger facilities and airport services; sources also connect its launch date with Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday.
Programme Supporters
Programme Critics
Purpose of the programme
Programme Supporters
Airport officials describe the Yatri Sewa Abhiyan as a passenger-service initiative designed to improve access, cleanliness, mobility and traffic management.
Programme Critics
Some officials and sources view the unusually elaborate programme as being driven by Narendra Modi’s birthday and question whether it addresses routine airport problems.
Special events versus daily operations
Programme Supporters
Cultural programmes, passenger engagement, inspections and recorded journeys are presented as ways to identify and improve service problems.
Programme Critics
A senior airport employee said management should focus on removing red tape and fixing issues such as damaged chairs rather than organizing special events.
Official characterization
Programme Supporters
A senior airport official denied that the programme was intended to celebrate the Prime Minister’s birthday and said it is officially the Yatri Sewa Abhiyan.
Programme Critics
The programme begins on Narendra Modi’s birthday, includes his photographs for passenger selfies and was reportedly expanded from a one-day event, leading some sources to associate it with the birthday.
- Programme
- Yatri Sewa Abhiyan
- Duration
- September 17 to October 10
- Participating airports
- Calcutta and other government-run airports across India
- Passenger measures
- Improved signage, wheelchair access, parking flow, terminal traffic and action against touts
- Cleanliness focus
- One day will be observed as Swachhata Diwas
- Special launch-day activities
- Vande Mataram, cultural programmes, roses for passengers and sandalwood tilaks
- Planned ministerial visit
- Union civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu is scheduled to visit Calcutta airport during the programme