Parliament Question: Linking of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela to major North Eastern capitals

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 196 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2nd February 2026 LINKING OF BHUBANESWAR AND ROURKELA TO MAJOR NORTH EASTERN CAPITALS 196. SMT SULATA DEO Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government is planning to link Bhubaneswar and Rourkela to major North Eastern capitals under the regional connectivity framework; and (b) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) & (b): Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) is a market-driven scheme in which the unserved and underserved airstrips/airports are listed for bidding by airlines to provide connectivity. Bidding rounds are conducted from time to time for covering more destinations and routes under the scheme. Rourkela Airport is eligible for bidding under the upcoming rounds of the UDAN scheme for the operation of routes to connect with other airports including with major North Eastern capitals. Bhubaneswar Airport is a served airport, and therefore, the routes connecting Bhubaneswar to unserved or underserved airports in the North Eastern Region are eligible for bidding under the UDAN scheme. The Government has announced the launch of the modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country, and to cater to 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North East region districts. ******