This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2031 regarding the development of airports in Punjab, answered on July 31, 2025. The question addressed the underutilization of resources and infrastructure at regional airports in Adampur, Ludhiana, and Pathankot.
The Ministry, through Minister of State Shri Murlidhar Mohol, stated that Adampur, Bhatinda, Ludhiana, and Pathankot airports have been operationalized under the UDAN scheme. The UDAN scheme is market-driven, with bidding rounds conducted periodically where interested airlines submit proposals based on their demand assessment. Valid bids are evaluated and awarded for route operationalization. To date, 34 routes have been operationalized under the UDAN scheme in Punjab.
The answer also includes an annexure detailing the present air connectivity and funds allocated for infrastructure upgrades at Adampur, Bhatinda, Ludhiana, and Pathankot airports.
Key Entities Referenced
CIVIL AVIATION: The Ministry responsible for air transport regulation in India.
SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question about airport development in Punjab.
UDAN Scheme: A regional airport development and Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of the Government of India, aimed at enhancing air connectivity to Tier II and Tier III cities.
Adampur, Punjab: A city in Punjab where an airport has been identified and operationalised under the UDAN Scheme.
Ludhiana, Punjab: A city in Punjab where an airport has been identified and operationalised under the UDAN Scheme.
Pathankot, Punjab: A city in Punjab where an airport has been identified and operationalised under the UDAN Scheme.
Bhatinda, Punjab: A city in Punjab where an airport has been identified and operationalised under the UDAN Scheme.
Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2031
st
(To be answered on the 31 July 2025)
DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORTS IN PUNJAB
2031. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware of the under-utilisation of available
facilities/resources and lack of adequate infrastructure at regional airports in
major cities of Punjab such as Adampur, Ludhiana and Pathankot and if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has taken any steps under the UDAN scheme and
other initiatives to improve air connectivity in these cities and if so, the details
thereof;
(c) the number of flights operational from the said airports along with the expected
increase in the next year; and
(d) the amount of funds allocated along with the timeline fixed for completion of
infrastructure upgradation at these airports?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c): Four airports, namely Adampur, Bhatinda, Ludhiana and Pathankot,
have been identified and operationalised in the State of Punjab under the UDAN
Scheme.
UDAN is a market-driven scheme wherein bidding rounds are conducted from time
to time. Based on their assessment of demand on particular routes, interested
airlines submit their proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN. Valid bids are
evaluated and awarded for the operationalisation of routes. 34 routes have been
operationalised under the UDAN Scheme in the State of Punjab.
(d): The present air connectivity and details of funds allocated for Adampur,
Bhatinda, Ludhiana and Pathankot are at Annexure.
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