In response to Unstarred Question No. 1996, concerning the development of heliports, helipads, and runways in Gujarat, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, stated the following. The RCS-UDAN scheme aims to provide affordable air connectivity to unserved and underserved areas through a market-driven approach. The list of airstrips, airports, and water aerodromes is finalized in consultation with State Governments, with bidding rounds conducted periodically. Airlines submit proposals based on their assessment of route demand, and the development of airports or heliports included in awarded UDAN routes requiring upgradation is carried out under the 'Revival of Unserved and Underserved Airports' scheme. The State Government of Gujarat has not indicated any airstrip/helipad in Dahod, Panchmahal, and Chhota Udepur for inclusion in the UDAN Scheme document’s tentative list of unserved airstrips/helipads. Currently, 8 airports in Gujarat have been operationalized, connecting 71 routes under the UDAN Scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
RCS-UDAN: A market-driven scheme aimed at providing affordable air connectivity to unserved and underserved areas.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for formulating national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of civil aviation.
Gujarat: Indian state where development of heliports/helipads and runways is being considered under the UDAN network.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1996
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th December 2025 )
DEVELOPMENT OF HELIPORTS/HELIPADS AND RUNWAYS IN
GUJARAT
1996. SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is considering developing Heliports/Helipads and short runways
in the eastern tribal regions of Gujarat including Dahod, Panchmahal and Chhota Udepur
while connecting newly licensed airports under the UDAN network and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) the success rate of the eastern Gujarat zone in the latest phases of UDAN; and
(c) whether routes such as Dahod-Bhopal-Indore-Vadodara are being prioritised and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (c): RCS-UDAN is a market-driven, ongoing scheme aimed at providing affordable air
connectivity to unserved and underserved areas. The list of such airstrips, airports and water
aerodromes is finalised in consultation with State Governments. Bidding rounds are
conducted periodically, and airlines submit proposals based on their assessment of route
demand. Airports or heliports included in awarded UDAN routes that require upgradation for
commencement of operations are developed under the ‘Revival of Unserved and Underserved
Airports’ scheme.
The State Government of Gujarat has not indicated the existence of any airstrip/helipad in
Dahod, Panchmahal and Chhota Udepur for inclusion in the tentative list of unserved
airstrips/helipads in the UDAN Scheme document. ;
Presently, in the state of Gujarat a total of 8 airports have been operationalised connecting 71
routes under the UDAN Scheme.
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