In response to Unstarred Question No. 1932, regarding regional air connectivity in Kasaragod, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) stated that the RCS-UDAN scheme, aimed at providing affordable air connectivity to unserved and underserved areas, finalizes airstrips, heliports and water aerodromes in consultation with State Governments, and conducts periodic bidding rounds. While the State Government of Kerala hasn't indicated the existence of any airstrip in Kasargod district for UDAN Scheme inclusion, the Kasaragod Water Aerodrome, proposed by the Kerala government, is on the tentative list. During the UDAN 5.5 bidding round, bids were received for the Kasaragod Water Aerodrome and a Letter of Intent has been issued for seaplane operations connecting Kasaragod with Mangalore and Kannur. The State Government of Kerala is responsible for developing the required infrastructure, and operation commencement depends on infrastructure readiness and the operator.
Key Entities Referenced
RCS-UDAN: A market-driven scheme aimed at providing affordable air connectivity to unserved and underserved areas.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry responsible for matters related to civil aviation.
Kasaragod: A district in Kerala, the focal point of the regional air connectivity question.
Kerala: A State, specifically regarding the proposal of Kasaragod Water Aerodrome.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1932
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th December 2025 )
REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIVITY IN KASARAGOD
1932. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has assessed the lack of regional air connectivity for Kasaragod
district and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any proposals have been considered for new regional air routes under UDAN for
Kasaragod district and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the expected bidding, operator selection and timeline fixed for commencement of such
routes?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (c): RCS-UDAN is a market-driven, ongoing scheme aimed at providing affordable air
connectivity to unserved and underserved areas. The list of such airstrips, heliports and water
aerodromes is finalised in consultation with State Governments. Bidding rounds are
conducted periodically for provision of connectivity on the listed airstrips.
The State government of Kerala has not indicated the existence of any airstrip in Kasargod
district for inclusion in the UDAN Scheme.
However, the Kasaragod Water Aerodrome proposed by the Government of Kerala is
included in the tentative list of water aerodromes under the UDAN Scheme Document.
During the UDAN 5.5 bidding round, bids were received for Kasaragod (Water Aerodrome)
and a Letter of Intent (LoI) has been issued for seaplane operations on routes connecting
Kasaragod with Mangalore and Kannur.
As per the scheme provisions, the required infrastructure for the water aerodrome is to be
developed by the State Government of Kerala. Commencement of operation is subject to the
readiness of infrastructure and the operator..
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