**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 1861 in the Lok Sabha, concerning the implementation of the UDAN scheme in West Bengal. The response, provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, details the number of operational routes, airports/destinations covered, funds allocated and utilized, and steps taken to improve flight regularity under the scheme. The answer was scheduled to be given on December 11th, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Operational Routes:**
* 40 routes have been operationalized under the RCS-UDAN scheme in West Bengal.
* 28 of these routes (including commercial) are currently operational, with details in Annexure-A.
* **Airports/Destinations:**
* A list of the 28 operational routes along with connected airports/destinations is provided in Annexure-A.
* **Funds Allocated and Utilised:**
* Details of the funds allocated and utilized for airport development in West Bengal are in Annexure-B.
* A total of Rs 36.92 Cr allocated and Rs 36.92 Cr spent.
* **Flight Regularity and Passenger Facilities:**
* The government conducts periodic reviews with stakeholders, including airlines, to identify operational challenges.
* The government is adopting technologies like Special Visual Flight Rules (VFR), Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) to reduce weather-related disruptions.
* Airlines are required to submit business plans for timely operationalization before the award of the route.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Airlines**
* **Impact:** Airlines are involved in periodic reviews to address operational challenges and are expected to comply with new technologies and submit business plans for route operationalization.
* **Action Required:** Actively participate in periodic reviews and submit business plans before routes are awarded.
**Stakeholder: Passengers**
* **Impact:** Passengers benefit from improved flight regularity and passenger facilities under the UDAN scheme, including reduced weather-related disruptions.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the benefits and report any issues to airlines and authorities.
**Stakeholder: Airports in West Bengal**
* **Impact:** Airports benefit from allocated funds for development.
* **Action Required:** Continue airport development according to the UDAN scheme requirements.
Key Entities Referenced
Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN): A scheme aimed at enhancing regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of policies, regulations, and programs related to civil aviation in India.
West Bengal: Indian state where the UDAN scheme's implementation is being reviewed in the question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1861
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th December 2025 )
IMPLEMENTATION OF UDAN SCHEME IN WEST BENGAL
1861. SHRI RAJU BISTA
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of routes operational under the UDAN scheme in West Bengal as on date;
(b) the list of airports and destinations covered;
(c) the total funds allocated and utilised under the said scheme in the said State during the last
five years; and
(d) the steps being taken to improve flight regularity and passenger facilities under the said
scheme?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) and (b) : Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-
UDAN), 40 routes have been operationalised so far in West Bengal, out of which 28 routes
(including commercial) are currently operational. The list of 28 such routes along with
airports/destinations connected is at Annexure-A.
(c) : The details of funds allocated and utilised for the developed of airports in West Bengal
under the scheme is provided at Annexure-B.
(d) : To identify operational challenges in ensuring flight regularity, the Government conducts
periodic reviews with all stakeholders, including the airlines. The Government is increasingly
adopting technologies like Special Visual Flight Rules (VFR), Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures to reduce weather and visibility
related disruptions. Further, airlines are required to submit business plans for timely
operationalisation before the award of the route.
******Annexure-A
RCS – UDAN routes (including commercial) operational in West Bengal
S. N. Departure Arrival
1. Kolkata Lilabari
2. Lilabari Kolkata
3. Kolkata Jorhat
4. Jorhat Kolkata
5. Kolkata Jharsuguda
6. Jharsuguda Kolkata
7. Durgapur Mumbai
8. Mumbai Durgapur
9. Durgapur Chennai
10. Chennai Durgapur
11. Kolkata Jharsuguda
12. Jharsuguda Kolkata
13. Kolkata Amritsar
14. Amritsar Kolkata
15. Kolkata Shillong
16. Shillong Kolkata
17. Kolkata Deoghar
18. Deoghar Kolkata
19. Kolkata Jamshedpur
20. Jamshedpur Kolkata
21. Cooch Behar Kolkata
22. Kolkata Cooch Behar
23. Kolkata Rupsi
24. Rupsi Kolkata
25. Kolkata Purnea
26. Purnea KolkataS. N. Departure Arrival
27. Kolkata Purnea
28. Purnea KolkataAnnexure-B
Funds allocated and utilised for the development of airports in West Bengal under the
scheme
S. N. Airports Budget Allocated Expenditure till 31.10.2025
(Rs in Cr.)
(Rs in Cr.)
1. Burnpur 22.81 22.81
(development work underway)
2. Durgapur (Andal) 3.11 3.11
3. Cooch Behar 11.00 11.00
Total 36.92 36.92