**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Starred Question No. 1 in Lok Sabha concerning the inclusion of Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu under the UDAN scheme for regional air connectivity, to be answered on January 29, 2026. It outlines the current status of airport development in these districts and the broader impact of the UDAN scheme. In principle approval has been given for Parandur Green Field Airport in April 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **UDAN Scheme Overview:**
* The list of unserved and underserved airports under the UDAN scheme is finalized with the State Governments.
* Revival/up-gradation of airports is dependent on identification through a valid bid to a Selected Airline Operator (SAO).
* **Status of Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram:**
* Currently, no airstrips in Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram are included in the tentative list of unserved airstrips under the UDAN scheme.
* In principle approval was given in April 2025 for development of Parandur Green Field Airport in Kanchipuram District.
* Airstrips in Tiruvannamalai district may be considered if the State Government confirms their existence and requests inclusion.
* **UDAN Impact and Future Plans:**
* UDAN strengthens unserved and underserved regions by enhancing connectivity, boosting tourism and industry, improving healthcare access, and generating employment.
* The Modified UDAN Scheme aims to expand regional connectivity to 120 new destinations nationwide, targeting 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tamil Nadu State Government**
* **Impact**: They are required to coordinate with the Ministry of Civil Aviation for inclusion of airstrips under the scheme.
* **Action Required**: Confirm the existence of airstrips in Tiruvannamalai district and formally request their inclusion in the UDAN scheme document.
**Ministry of Civil Aviation**
* **Impact**: Responsible for administering the UDAN Scheme and approving airport development projects.
* **Action Required**: Continue the plan to develop Parandur Green Field Airport based on the stated timeline.
**Citizens of Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram**
* **Impact**: Potentially benefit from improved air connectivity, leading to increased tourism, business opportunities, and employment.
* **Action Required**: No immediate action required, but should monitor developments related to the Parandur Green Field Airport and the UDAN scheme in their districts.
**Selected Airline Operators (SAOs)**
* **Impact**: SAOs may be presented with the opportunity to bid for up-gradation or revival of unserved and underserved airports.
* **Action Required**: Continue to monitor and bid on opportunities presented by the UDAN scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Scheme: A scheme focused on improving regional air connectivity.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The primary government body responsible for the implementation of the policy.
Tamil Nadu: The state where the regional air connectivity is being discussed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 1
th
(To be answered on the 29 January 2026)
REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIVITY IN TAMIL NADU
*1. SHRI C N ANNADURAI SHRI
SELVAM G
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts of Tamil Nadu have been
considered for inclusion under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Scheme for
improving regional air connectivity;
(b) if so, the details of the proposals received or airports/airstrips identified in the
said districts for development under the UDAN scheme;
(c) whether any feasibility studies or site inspections have been conducted for
establishing regional air services or air tourism facilities in the said districts and if
so, the findings thereof;
(d) the expected timeline for approval and commencement of such projects; and
(e) the likely impact of UDAN connectivity on tourism, pilgrimage travel and
local employment in the said districts?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
( Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) & (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) to (E) IN RESPECT
OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 1 FOR REPLY ON 29.01.2026
REGARDING 'REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIVITY IN TAMIL NADU' ASKED
BY SHRI C N ANNADURAI AND SHRI SELVAMG
(a) to (e): Under the UDAN Scheme, the list of unserved and underserved airports is
finalized in consultation with the respective State Governments and is included in
the scheme document for bidding. 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).
At present, no airstrip located in the Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram districts of
Tamil Nadu is included in the tentative list of unserved airstrips under the Scheme.
However, in principle approval has been given by this Ministry in April 2025 for
development of Parandur Green Field Airport in Kanchipuram District. Further, if
the State Government of Tamil Nadu confirms the existence of airstrips in
Tiruvannamalai district and requests for its inclusion in the scheme document, the
same may be considered.
UDAN has strengthened the unserved and underserved regions by improving
connectivity and accessibility, boosting tourism and industry, enhancing access to
healthcare, and generating direct and indirect employment. Moreover, the
Government has announced the Modified UDAN Scheme to expand regional
connectivity to 120 new destinations nationwide targeting 4 crore passengers over
the next 10 years.
*****