**Policy Summary: Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) Airport Development Status (as of March 31, 2025)**
This document summarizes the status of airport development and operationalization under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, as of March 31, 2025. The information was provided in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3071, answered on August 7, 2025, by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol.
**Key Findings:**
* **Maharashtra:** Nine airports were identified for development. Seven are operational: Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Nanded, Nasik, Gondia, Sindhudurg, and Amravati. Solapur Airport is commercially operational. The development of Ratnagiri Airport is ongoing by the State Government of Maharashtra.
* **Madhya Pradesh:** Gwalior, Rewa, and Datia airports are operational. Shivpuri and Ujjain have been identified for development under RCS-UDAN.
* **Karnataka:** Seven airports are operational: Bidar, Mysore, Vidyanagar, Hubli, Kalaburgi, Belgaum, and Shivamogga.
**General Information:**
The RCS-UDAN scheme is market-driven. Unserved and underserved airports are offered for bidding by airlines. Bidding rounds are conducted periodically to expand connectivity. Airlines submit bids based on assessed demand for specific routes and airports included in awarded routes that require upgradation are developed under the 'Revival of unserved and underserved airports' scheme to enable UDAN operations.
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.
Regional Connectivity Scheme RCS UDAN: A Government of India scheme to enhance aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in unserved and underserved areas.
Maharashtra: A state in western India, where airports have been selected/proposed under the RCS-UDAN scheme.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in central India, where airports have been selected/proposed under the RCS-UDAN scheme.
Karnataka: A state in southern India, where airports have been selected/proposed under the RCS-UDAN scheme.
Kolhapur Airport: An airport in Maharashtra, developed and operationalized under RCS-UDAN.
Gwalior Airport: An airport in Madhya Pradesh, operationalized under RCS-UDAN.
Bidar Airport: An airport in Karnataka, operationalized under RCS-UDAN.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3071
th
(To be answered on the 7 August 2025)
AIRPORTS UNDER RCS-UDAN
3071. SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE
SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL
DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE
SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM
SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of the airports selected/proposed for domestic travel under the
Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN in Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh and Karnataka;
(b) the details of airports which are completed and operational and those yet
to be developed under the said scheme in the said States as on 31st March,
2025;
(c) whether there is a demand to connect more airports in the said States
under the said scheme;
(d) if so, the details of the destinations already connected and proposed to be
connected; and
(e) the status of survey conducted regarding airstrips under the said scheme in
the said States?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (e): In the state of Maharashtra, nine airports have been identified for
development and operationalisation under RCS-UDAN, of which seven
airports namely, Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Nanded, Nasik, Gondia, Sindhudurg and
Amravati, have been developed and operationalized. Solapur Airport has
been operationalised commercially and the development of Ratnagiri Airport
by the State Government of Maharashtra is in progress.
In the state of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior, Rewa and Datia airports have been
operationalized. Shivpuri and Ujjain have been identified for developmentunder RCS-UDAN.
In the state of Karnataka, seven airports namely, Bidar, Mysore, Vidyanagar,
Hubli, Kalaburgi, Belgaum & Shivamogga have been operationalized under
the UDAN scheme.
RCS-UDAN is a market-driven scheme where unserved and underserved
airports are offered for bidding by airlines. Bidding rounds are conducted
periodically to expand connectivity. Airlines submit bids based on assessed
demand for specific routes and airports included in awarded routes that
require upgradation are developed under the 'Revival of unserved and
underserved airports' scheme to enable UDAN operations.
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