Parliament Question: UDAN Helicopter Scheme in Odisha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 175 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 30th July 2026 ) UDAN HELICOPTER SCHEME IN ODISHA 175. SMT SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the details of helicopter services sanctioned under the UDAN Helicopter Scheme in Odisha during the period from 2020-21 to 2025-26; (b) the criteria adopted for the selection of districts under the UDAN Helicopter Scheme; (c) whether the Government has examined the feasibility of introducing helicopter connectivity for Balangir and Subarnapur in view of their distance from major airports and healthcare facilities and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the measures taken by the Government to strengthen emergency medical evacuation and disaster response through helicopter connectivity in western Odisha? ANSWER Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. ******STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 175 FOR ANSWER ON 30.07.2026 REGARDING "UDAN HELICOPTER SCHEME IN ODISHA" ASKED BY SMT SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO. (a) to (d): Helicopter operations under the UDAN Scheme were introduced from the 2nd round of bidding in 2017 to enhance regional air connectivity in Priority Areas, namely Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, the North- Eastern States, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep Islands. Under the UDAN 5.1 round of bidding in 2023, the eligibility criteria was revised to allow helicopter operations provided that at least one origin or destination is a heliport and one of the locations lies in a Priority Area. No airline submitted bids connecting the helipads in Odisha with locations that lie within the Priority Areas. The next phase of the UDAN Scheme, launched on 04.07.2026, expands helicopter connectivity by envisaging the development of 200 modern helipads in Aspirational Districts, including in the State of Odisha and Priority Area districts where no heliport or airport is operational or under development, which will facilitate improved access for passenger connectivity as well as support emergency medical evacuation, disaster response and relief operations in remote and underserved areas. *****