Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Civil Aviation addresses air connectivity enhancement in India, including Tamil Nadu, focusing on remote and underserved areas. The government is supporting regional airport growth and modernization through schemes like the Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN). Specific targets include expanding the UDAN scheme to 120 new destinations and catering to 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years while ensuring passenger safety and security through DGCA oversight.
Key Points / Main Content:
Regional Connectivity and UDAN Scheme:
* The RCS-UDAN scheme, launched on 21/10/2016, aims to stimulate regional air connectivity by reviving unserved and underserved airports in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
* 637 RCS routes have been operationalized, including 26 routes in Tamil Nadu, connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports nationwide.
* In Tamil Nadu, Salem, Vellore, Neyveli, and Tanjore airports are identified for RCS flight development, with Salem airport already operational.
Airport Modernization and Expansion:
* Airports Authority of India (AAI) has launched a Rs. 23,000 crore CAPEX plan for 2025-29.
* The plan includes development, upgrades, and modernization of airports through new constructions, facility expansion, runway enhancements, and Air Navigation Services (ANS) infrastructure improvements.
Modified UDAN Scheme:
* The modified UDAN Scheme aims to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations.
* The scheme aims to cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years.
* It will support helipads and smaller airports, especially in hilly, aspirational, and North East region districts.
Safety and Security Measures:
* The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) maintains a robust safety oversight system, monitoring compliance with rules and Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs).
* Routine surveillance, spot checks, regulatory, and special audits are conducted.
* An Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) guides surveillance and spot checks across technical areas.
* Findings from audits and surveillance are rigorously followed up with operators, with corrective action compliance verified.
* Accident and incident data are regularly analyzed.
Impact Analysis:
Airports Authority of India (AAI):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the Rs. 23,000 crore CAPEX plan, involving significant infrastructure development and modernization.
* Action Required: Execute the CAPEX plan, ensuring timely completion of projects within budget and adhering to quality standards.
Airline Operators:
* Impact: Benefit from new routes and airport infrastructure improvements under the UDAN scheme, enabling expansion to underserved regions. Subject to surveillance from the DGCA.
* Action Required: Plan and implement operations on newly developed routes, maintain compliance with safety regulations, and respond to audit findings from DGCA.
Passengers:
* Impact: Enhanced air connectivity to regional areas, increased convenience, and improved safety standards.
* Action Required: Be aware of the new routes and facilities available and adhere to safety guidelines provided by airlines and airports.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing and enforcing safety regulations across all aviation activities.
* Action Required: Maintain and enhance the safety oversight system, conduct regular audits and surveillance, and ensure compliance with corrective actions.
State Governments (including Tamil Nadu):
* Impact: Benefit from improved air connectivity, economic development, and tourism opportunities.
* Action Required: Coordinate with the central government and AAI to facilitate the development and operation of airports in their respective states.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and policies relating to civil aviation in India.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India where air connectivity enhancement is a focus of the policy.
SHRI MALAIYARASAN D: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question about air connectivity in Tamil Nadu.
Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik UDAN scheme: A regional airport development scheme of the Government of India, with the objective to enhance air connectivity to underserved airports in the country.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik RCS-UDAN scheme: Government scheme to facilitate and stimulate regional air connectivity by reviving unserved and underserved airports in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Airports Authority of India AAI: An organisation under the Ministry of Civil Aviation responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA: The safety regulator of the country, responsible for implementing measures to bolster aviation safety.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 817
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
AIR CONNECTIVITY IN TAMIL NADU
817. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the major schemes and initiatives currently being implemented by the
Government to enhance air connectivity across the country including Tamil
Nadu, especially in remote and underserved areas;
(b) the manner in which the Government is planning to support the growth
and modernization of regional airports under its various schemes;
(c) the specific targets set by the Government for the expansion of the Ude
Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme in the upcoming years; and
(d) the measures being taken to ensure the safety, security and well-being of
passengers?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) & (b): The Government launched Regional Connectivity Scheme- Ude
Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) scheme on 21-10-2016 to
facilitate/stimulate regional air connectivity by reviving unserved and
underserved airports in Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities. 637 RCS routes including 26
routes in Tamil Nadu have been operationalized. The scheme has connected
92 unserved and underserved airports across the country.
In the state of Tamil Nadu, four airports namely Salem, Vellore, Neyveli and
Tanjore have been identified for the development and operation of RCS
flights under the Scheme, of which Salem airport has been operationalised.
To meet growing air traffic and passenger demand, Airports Authority of
India (AAI) has launched a Rs.23,000 crore CAPEX plan for 2025-29. The
plan includes development, upgradation, and modernization of airports
through the construction of new airports and terminals, expansion of existing
facilities, runway and apron enhancements, and ANS infrastructure like
control towers and technical blocks.(c): The Government has recently announced the launch of the modified
UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations
across the country and to cater 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years. The
scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational
and North East region districts.
(d) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the safety regulator of
the country, has implemented several measures to bolster aviation safety.
These include:
DGCA maintains a robust safety oversight system, to monitor compliance
with Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs). This process includes
routine surveillance, spot checks, regulatory and special audits.
DGCA publishes an Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) to guide surveillance and
spot checks across various technical areas.
Findings from audits, surveillance activities, and spot checks are rigorously
followed up with the concerned operators. Compliance with corrective actions
is verified, and observations are closed only after thorough review.
Subsequent audits and surveillances also check the ongoing effectiveness of
these actions.
Accident and incident data are regularly analyzed.
*****