From correspondents in Maharashtra, India, 10:01 PM IST

Shirdi, renowned for its Sai Baba temple, will soon be on India's air map, proving a boon to religious tourism in Maharashtra.

The state government Wednesday announced its decision to construct an airport at Mauje-Kakdi village at an investment of Rs.2.64 billion ($62.8 million).

It will come up on an area of over 400 hectares, 15 km from Shirdi town.

The project will be undertaken by the Maharashtra Airports Development Co Ltd as a public-private partnership.

Presently, Jagson Airlines flies a 26-seater helicopter daily connecting Mumbai and Shirdi.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)