Parliament Question: Development of Lalpur Airstrip

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 68 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23rd July 2026 ) DEVELOPMENT OF LALPUR AIRSTRIP 68. SMT HIMADRI SINGH Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to develop the Lalpur Airstrip located in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh into a full-fledged airport and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any technical survey or feasibility study has been conducted for upgradation of the said airstrip and if so, the details and outcomes thereof; (c) whether the said airstrip has been included under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN and if so, the present status thereof; (d) whether any tender has been floated or action plan prepared in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and (e) the timeline fixed by the Government for implementation of the said project and the time by which the construction work is likely to commence? ANSWER Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu) (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. ******STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 68 FOR REPLY ON 23.07.2026 REGARDING 'DEVELOPMENT OF LALPUR AIRSTRIP' ASKED BY SMT HIMADRI SINGH. (a) to (e): Shahdol airstrip in Madhya Pradesh is included in the tentative list of unserved airports identified under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN). No technical survey or feasibility for the upgradation of the airstrip has so far been undertaken by the Airports Authority of India. The next phase of the UDAN Scheme was launched on 04.07.2026 to promote regional air connectivity in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and remote regions across the country, targeting 120 new destinations and 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years. The Scheme provides a Challenge Mode framework under which State Governments may nominate airstrips for development. Proposals are evaluated based on land availability, infrastructure readiness, technical and operational feasibility, traffic potential, statutory clearances, and State Government support. ******