In response to Unstarred Question No. 752 asked by Shri Pradeep Purohit on December 4, 2025, regarding the inclusion of the Sati-Bhata airstrip under the UDAN scheme, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, stated that the Satibhata airstrip, located in Padampur town of Bargarh district, Odisha, is on the tentative list of unserved airstrips/airports in the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) document. Revival/up-gradation is undertaken upon its identification through valid bid and award to the Selected Airline Operator (SAO) according to the provisions of the UDAN scheme. As of December 4, 2025, no airlines have submitted any proposals to operate RCS flights from Satibhata airstrip despite five bidding rounds. Therefore, the airstrip has not been taken up for revival under the scheme, and commencement of air services is subject to the readiness of the airport.
Key Entities Referenced
UDAN Scheme: Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme, a regional connectivity scheme focused on revival and up-gradation of unserved and underserved airports.
Sati-Bhata airstrip: Airstrip located in Padampur town of Bargarh district, Odisha, proposed for inclusion under the UDAN scheme.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of Civil Aviation.
Odisha: Indian state where Sati-Bhata airstrip is located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 752
th
(To be answered on the 4 December 2025)
INCLUSION OF SATI-BHATA AIRSTRIP UNDER UDAN SCHEME
752. SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Sati-Bhata airstrip located in
Padampur of Bargarh district, Odisha has potential to boost regional air connectivity
and economic activities in Western Odisha and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to include the said airstrip under theUde
Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme and if so, the details thereof along with the
steps taken in this regard;
(c) whether any airlines or private operators have submitted proposals to operate
flights from Sati-Bhata airstrip under the Public Private Partnership
(PPP) mode; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the names of such operators and the status of
approval?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (d) Satibhata airstrip in Padampur town of Bargarh district, Odisha 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 fromSatibhata 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. Commencement
of air services is subject to the readiness of the airport.
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