GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3384
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23rd March 2026
SPECIAL AVIATION PACKAGE FOR ASPIRATIONAL AND LWE-
AFFECTED DISTRICTS OF ODISHA
3384. SHRI MANAS RANJAN MANGARAJ
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government acknowledges that poor air connectivity in southern Odisha affects
emergency...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3384 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23rd March 2026 SPECIAL AVIATION PACKAGE FOR ASPIRATIONAL AND LWE- AFFECTED DISTRICTS OF ODISHA
3384. SHRI MANAS RANJAN MANGARAJ
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government acknowledges that poor air connectivity in southern Odisha affects emergency medical evacuation, disaster response (particularly cyclones in coastal districts) and development in Left-Wing Extremism affected districts;
(b) whether any special aviation package is being considered for backward and tribal- dominated districts of the State of Odisha; and
(c) the expected timeline for ensuring equitable regional air connectivity across all regions of the State? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c): The Government is enhancing regional air connectivity in Odisha under the RCS- UDAN scheme. Four airports, namely Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Utkela and Jeypore, have been operationalised. Further, Rangeilunda, Amarda and Rairangpur airstrips have been identified for development. So far, 32 RCS routes have been operationalised and Rs. 215 crore has been disbursed as VGF in the State.
Several airstrips, including Angul, Barbil, Birasal, Gudari, Hirakud, Jayakpur, Lanjigarh, Nawapara, Padampur, Raisuan, Sukinda, Theruboli, Tushra, Malkangiri, Baripada and Konark, are listed as unserved airstrips under UDAN and routes may be considered based on airline bids under the Scheme. Expansion of connectivity under UDAN is an ongoing and demand-driven process, depending on availability of land, infrastructure, regulatory approvals and airline participation.
The Government has also announced a Modified UDAN Scheme to connect 120 new destinations, serve 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years, and also support helipads and small airports in hilly, aspirational and North East region districts. The Scheme is presently at the approval stage.
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