Dr. Alok Kumar Suman questioned the Minister of Civil Aviation regarding the development of Sabeya Airfield (Hathuwa) under the UDAN Scheme. Specifically, he asked if the government has taken steps for its development, why it wasn't included in the bidding scheme despite representations, and whether it will be included in future bidding rounds.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) stated that Sabeya airstrip, Bihar is on the tentative list of unserved airstrips/airports in the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) document. Revival or up-gradation of unserved airports under the UDAN Scheme requires identification through valid bids and awarding to a Selected Airline Operator (SAO). As of the completion of five bidding rounds, no airline has submitted a proposal to operate RCS flights from Sabeya airstrip, and thus, it has not been taken up for revival under the scheme. However, if an airline submits a bid for routes connecting Sabeya Airstrip in future bidding rounds, it may be considered as per UDAN scheme provisions. The question was answered on December 11, 2025 and is identified as question number 1971.
Key Entities Referenced
UDAN Scheme: Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), a scheme to improve air connectivity to underserved regions.
Sabeya Airfield: Airfield located in Hathuwa, Bihar; subject of questions regarding its development under the UDAN Scheme.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for civil aviation in India, answering questions about the Sabeya Airfield.
Bihar: State where Sabeya (Hathua) airstrip is located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1971
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th December 2025 )
DEVELOPMENT OF SABEYA AIRFIELD
1971. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for the development of Sabeya Airfield
(Hathuwa) after its inclusion under the UDAN Scheme and if so, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether it is a fact that the Government did not include Sabeya Airfield in the bidding
scheme for operating small aircraft despite various representations and if so, the reasons
therefor; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to include the said Airfield in future bidding rounds
under UDAN and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (c): Sabeya (Hathua) airstrip, Bihar is available in the tentative list of unserved
airstrips/airports in the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-
UDAN) document.;
As per provisions of the UDAN Scheme, revival / up-gradation of unserved and underserved
airports is undertaken upon its identification through valid bid and award to the Selected
Airline Operator (SAO). None of the airlines have submitted any proposal to operate RCS
flights from Sabeya airstrip till the completion of five bidding rounds conducted so far. Thus,
the airstrip has not been taken up for its revival under the scheme.;
If an airline submits a bid for routes connecting Sabeya Airstrip in future bidding rounds, the
same may be considered as per UDAN scheme provisions.
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