PM Modi's UDAN scheme brings first direct Delhi flight to Daman: Ram Mohan Naidu
New Delhi, July 17
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UDAN scheme has brought Daman its first direct flight to Delhi, according to an official statement on Friday.
The minister described the event as a major milestone that will boost tourism, trade, investment and employment in the Union Territory, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
He made the remarks after flagging off the inaugural Alliance Air flight on the Daman-Delhi-Daman route from the newly operational NAMO Airport.
Calling the launch a historic moment, Naidu said the new service would reduce travel time between Daman and the national capital from nearly 8-10 hours by road to around 2.5 hours by air.
He attributed the achievement to PM Modi's UDAN scheme, saying it has transformed regional air connectivity by linking smaller cities with major destinations.
NAMO Airport -- a dual-use facility operating from the Indian Coast Guard Air Station (ICGAS), Daman -- was inaugurated by PM Modi on June 5 after its foundation stone was laid in April 2023.
Developed by the Union Territory Administration at a cost of Rs 124 crore on a 25-acre site, the airport features a 3,700-square metre terminal capable of handling 14 ATR flights a day and an annual passenger capacity of 3.67 lakh.
Highlighting the region's economic potential, the minister said Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli together are home to more than 7,000 industries, while another 15,000 industries operate in neighbouring Vapi and Valsad.
According to the minister, improved air connectivity would facilitate business travel, attract investments and create employment opportunities.
Naidu also said nearly 20 lakh tourists visit Daman every year, and the new air service is expected to significantly increase tourist arrivals.
However, the government is also planning to expand the runway to accommodate larger aircraft, including Airbus A320-type planes and improve connectivity to cities such as Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad and Patna.
The minister further said the government has extended the UDAN scheme for another 10 years, with an outlay of Rs 29,000 crore to develop 100 new airports and 200 new helipads under the modified scheme.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's good for Daman, but I'm concerned about the cost. Tickets on these UDAN routes are often too expensive for common people. Rs 29,000 crore is huge investment - let's hope it doesn't burden taxpayers. Also, why "NAMO Airport"? Could have kept a neutral name.
Finally! As someone from Vapi, this is huge. We had to drive 8 hours to Delhi for business meetings. Now 2.5 hours by air? Absolutely game-changing for industries in this region. 7,000 industries in Daman-Diu alone means lot of business travelers will use this. Kudos to the government for developing regional airports!
I've visited Daman for tourism - beautiful place but connectivity was terrible. This is a smart move. But why is the government focusing so much on renaming everything after Modi? "NAMO Airport" sounds more like a political statement than infrastructure development. Focus on service quality first.
Excellent development! Daman is a hidden gem for tourists - beaches, Portuguese heritage, casinos, and now connected to Delhi. This will boost not just tourism but also real estate and local businesses. The 3.67 lakh annual passenger capacity is well thought out. Eager to see connectivity to Mumbai and Surat next! 🏖️✈️
Good that UDAN scheme extended for 10 more years. But Rs 29,000 crore outlay to build 100 new airports? That's a lot of money. Will the private sector be involved? Also, we need to ensure these airports don't become white elephants - demand should justify investment. Hope
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