**Executive Summary**
On May 20, 2026, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurated several passenger-centric and cultural facilities at Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi. The initiative aligns with the "Modified UDAN" scheme, which aims to develop 100 new airports and 200 heliports to enhance regional connectivity. Key infrastructure expansion plans were also announced to manage Ranchi’s growing passenger traffic and improve operational efficiency.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Newly Inaugurated Facilities**
* **Bhagwan Birsa Munda Feature Wall:** Includes a statue and installation reflecting Jharkhand’s cultural heritage and historical legacy.
* **UDAN Yatri Café:** Designed to provide affordable food and beverage options to passengers to promote inclusivity.
* **AVSAR Counter:** Part of the "Vocal for Local" vision, providing a platform for local and tribal artisans to showcase traditional art, such as Sohrai paintings.
* **Flybrary and Kids Zone:** New recreational areas aimed at promoting a reading culture and providing safe spaces for children.
**National Aviation Expansion**
* **Modified UDAN Scheme:** A national target to develop 100 new airports and 200 heliports, specifically benefiting tribal regions and aspirational districts.
* **Regional Connectivity (RCS):** Expansion plans include developing airports at Dumka, Hazaribagh, Daltonganj, Dhalbhumgarh, and Chaibasa.
**Ranchi Airport Infrastructure Upgrades**
* **Terminal Expansion:** A comprehensive plan to expand the Domestic Security Hold Area to 6,480 sqm, increasing peak-hour capacity to 2,160 passengers.
* **Operational Efficiency:** Plans for a Parallel Taxi Track, Rapid Exit Taxiway, and two additional aircraft parking aprons to improve runway capacity.
* **Traffic Growth:** Recognition of a fivefold increase in annual air passenger traffic and a threefold increase in air cargo since 2014.
**Impact Analysis**
**Air Passengers**
**Impact**
Passengers gain access to more affordable amenities, culturally immersive experiences, and improved recreational facilities like the Flybrary and Kids Zone.
**Action Required**
N/A (Benefit from enhanced "Ease of Flying" services during travel).
**Local and Tribal Artisans**
**Impact**
Artisans gain economic opportunities and global visibility for traditional art forms through the dedicated AVSAR outlet.
**Action Required**
Utilize the AVSAR platform to showcase and market local crafts and Sohrai paintings to domestic and international travelers.
**Airports Authority of India (AAI) / Ministry of Civil Aviation**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for transforming airports into integrated travel hubs that balance operational excellence with regional identity.
**Action Required**
Execute the planned reconfiguration of the Ranchi terminal building and complete the scheduled runway and taxiway infrastructure projects.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu
inaugurates Bhagwan Birsa Munda Statue &
Feature Wall at Ranchi Airport
Passenger-centric facilities including Udan Yatri Cafe
inaugurated
“100 New Airports and 200 Heliports to be developed under
Modified UDAN” – Minister Naidu
Posted On: 20 MAY 2026 9:08PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards enhancing passenger experience and promoting inclusive airport
infrastructure, a series of passenger-centric and culturally significant facilities at Birsa Munda Airport,
Ranchi were formally inaugurated today by Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of Civil
Aviation, in the august presence of Shri Sanjay Seth, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Defence.
The newly inaugurated facilities include the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Feature Wall with Statue, UDAN Yatri
Café, AVSAR Counter, Kids Zone and Flybrary. The Bhagwan Birsa Munda Feature Wall with Statue has
been developed as a tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The installation reflects Jharkhand’s rich cultural
heritage and historical legacy while offering passengers an immersive and visually engaging experience
upon arrival.Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu stated,
“Today’s unveiling of the statue of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda is an occasion to honour the
confluence of tribal pride and modern development. I firmly believe that our airports should not merely
serve as centres of travel, but should reflect the identity, heritage and spirit of the states they represent.
Every passenger arriving at Ranchi Airport will now be welcomed by the inspiring legacy of Bhagwan
Birsa Munda Ji and introduced to the soul of Jharkhand.”
Highlighting aviation growth in Jharkhand, the Minister added,
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s civil aviation sector has
witnessed transformative growth, with the number of airports increasing from 74 in 2014 to 165 today. In
Jharkhand too, this progress has been remarkable. Annual air passenger traffic has grown more than
fivefold since 2014, aircraft movements have increased over three times, and air cargo has also recorded
nearly threefold growth.”Talking about future expansion of aviation infrastructure in the state, the Minister said, “Through
Modified UDAN, 100 new airports and 200 heliports will be developed across the country, immensely
benefiting tribal regions and aspirational districts. RCS operations have already commenced at
Jamshedpur Airport and airports at Dumka, Hazaribagh, Daltonganj, Dhalbhumgarh and Chaibasa are
planned to be developed under the UDAN scheme.”
Highlighting Ranchi Airport’s growing passenger traffic, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu noted that annual
passenger numbers have increased from 17 lakh to over 27 lakh in the last five years. Keeping future
demand in view, a comprehensive plan has been prepared for the reconfiguration and expansion of the
terminal building. Under the proposal, the Domestic Security Hold Area will be expanded to 6,480 sqm,
increasing peak-hour passenger handling capacity to 2,160 passengers.
The Minister further stated that plans are also underway for the development of a Parallel Taxi Track,
Rapid Exit Taxiway and two additional aircraft parking aprons to improve runway efficiency and
operational capacity. “We are committed to connecting Ranchi with global destinations and creating new
economic opportunities for Jharkhand,” the Minister said.
Sharing his ‘Ease of Flying’ vision around inauguration of passenger-centric facilities, the Minister added
that the UDAN Yatri Café will provide affordable food and beverages to passengers, making airports more
inclusive, while the Flybrary initiative seeks to promote reading culture and create more meaningful travel
experiences. Promoting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Vocal for Local’, the AVSAR
outlet (Airports as Venues for Skilled Artisans of the Region) has also been launched at Ranchi Airport to
provide a platform for local and tribal artisans of Jharkhand to showcase traditional art forms such as
Sohrai paintings, which are witnessing growing global demand.
“The objective of the Modi Government is not merely to build airports, but to make air travel more
accessible, affordable and people-centric,” the Minister said.
A specially designed Kids Zone has also been established within the airport premises to offer a safe and
engaging recreational space for children, making airport journeys more comfortable and enjoyable for
families travelling through Ranchi.
The Airports Authority of India continues to transform airports into integrated travel hubs that combine
operational excellence with passenger comfort, accessibility and regional identity.****
Divyanshu Kumar
(Release ID: 2263470) Visitor Counter : 169