Parliament Question: Strengthening regional air connectivity under UDAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4016 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 30th March 2026 STRENGTHENING REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIVITY UNDER UDAN 4016. SHRI BABUBHAI JESANGBHAI DESAI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government has undertaken a comprehensive review of the implementation of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) to enhance air connectivity to tier-II and tier-III cities and remote regions of the country; (b) the details of new airports, heliports and water aerodromes that have been operationalised under the scheme during the last three years, State-wise; (c) whether Government has taken steps to improve affordability and passenger amenities at newly developed regional airports; and (d) the measures being taken to strengthen aviation infrastructure, safety mechanisms and private sector participation to ensure sustainable growth of the civil aviation sector? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) a): The following evaluation studies have been conducted on the UDAN scheme: i. The report "The Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN - Progress and Prospects" by the Indian School of Business (ISB), (2021-22) ii. The mid-term appraisal for the Scheme "Evaluation Study of Regional Connectivity Scheme" by DMEO NITI Aayog (2023-24). (b): The state-wise details of 25 new aerodromes (including 8 heliports) operationalised under the scheme during the last three calendar years is given at Annexure. (c): To ensure the affordability of regional air travel, the UDAN scheme provides financial incentives to airline operators on regional routes that include Viability Gap Funding and concessions by the Centre/State/UT Government and airport operators to reduce airline operation costs. The airfare for RCS seatsis capped at a subsidised rate..Further, the upgradation of passenger amenities/facilities at airports is a continuous process, undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) or the Airport Operators, depending upon operational requirements, traffic, demand, commercial feasibility etc. (d): The Government has taken various steps for expansion of the airport infrastructure in the country, which, inter alia, include grant of In-Principle' approval for construction of new Greenfield airports, upgradation and modernisation of existing airports by Airport Operators including Airports Authority of India, development/revival of unserved/underserved airports under RCS - UDAN and promoting private investments in existing and new airports through the Public Private Partnership (PPP). The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ensures aviation safety through continuous regulatory oversight. This includes audits, ramp inspections, night surveillance, spot checks and special audits under the Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP). Findings are followed up with operators to implement corrective action and, in cases of non-compliance, enforcement actions, including financial penalties, are taken. ******Annexure List of 25 Aerodromes operationalized since 1st January, 2023 till date under RCS - UDAN Scheme Sr. No. State Airports Date of Operationalized Operationalization 1. Arunachal 15-Jan-2023 Pradesh Hollongi 2. Bihar Purnea 15-Sept-2025 3. Chhattisgarh Ambikapur 19-Dec-2024 4. Himachal Reckong Peo Heliport 21-Jan-2026 Pradesh 5. Himachal Shimla (Sanjoli) 21-Jan-2026 Pradesh Heliport 6. Jharkhand 31-Jan-2023 Jamshedpur 7. Karnataka 21-Nov-2023 Shivamogga 8. Lakshadweep Agatti 18-April-2024 9. Madhya Pradesh Rewa 25-Nov-2024 10. Madhya Pradesh Datia 31-May-2025 11. Maharashtra Amravati 16-April-2025 12. Manipur Jiribam Heliport 13-March-2024 13. Manipur Tamenglong Heliport 13-March-2024 14. Odisha 07-Jan-2023 Rourkela 15. Odisha 31-Aug-2023 Utkela 16. Uttar Pradesh Aligarh 11-March-2024 17. Uttar Pradesh Azamgarh 11-March-2024 18. Uttar Pradesh Chitrakoot 12-March-2024 19. Uttar Pradesh Moradabad 10-August-2024 20. Uttar Pradesh Shravasti 12-March-2024 21. Uttarakhand Champawat – Heliport 22-Feb-2024 22. Uttarakhand Munsyari – Heliport 22-Feb-2024 23. Uttarakhand Nainital Heliport 12-Mar-2025 24. Uttarakhand Bageshwar Heliport 12-Mar-2025 25. West Bengal 21-Feb-2023 Cooch Behar