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UDAN Takes Flight: 651 Regional Routes Now Connect India's Heartland

India's ambitious UDAN scheme has successfully taken off, connecting smaller cities to the national air grid. A significant portion of this network is concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, showcasing focused regional development. The government isn't stopping there, with plans already announced to dramatically expand the network further. This initiative is making air travel more accessible to millions of Indians across the country.

Key Points: 651 UDAN Routes Operational, 87 in Uttar Pradesh: Govt

  • 651 RCS-UDAN routes now connect 93 unserved and underserved airports nationwide
  • Uttar Pradesh leads with 87 operational routes connecting 12 airports
  • Over 157 lakh passengers have traveled on 3.27 lakh UDAN flights to date
  • A modified UDAN scheme aims to add 120 new destinations in the next decade
2 min read

651 UDAN routes operationalised nationwide, 87 routes in UP: Govt

India's UDAN scheme has operationalized 651 regional routes, connecting 93 airports. Over 157 lakh passengers have benefited from enhanced air connectivity.

"Under this policy, the Government of India has granted 'In-Principle' approval for 24 greenfield airports across the country, of which 13 airports have been operationalised - Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu"

New Delhi, Dec 18

Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), 651 RCS routes have been operationalised, connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes (as on November 30) across the country, the Parliament was told on Thursday.

Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, also said that in Uttar Pradesh, a total of 87 routes connecting 12 airports have been operationalised.

Further, the government has announced the launch of the modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country, including Uttar Pradesh, to cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years.

The scheme is currently at the approval stage, the minister said.

As per the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, if any airport developer, including the state government, desires to develop an airport, they are required to identify a suitable site and get the Pre-Feasibility Study conducted and submit a proposal to the Central Government for 'Site Clearance' followed by 'In-Principle' approval.

"Under this policy, the Government of India has granted 'In-Principle' approval for 24 greenfield airports across the country, of which 13 airports have been operationalised," Naidu said.

The upgradation of infrastructure facilities/passenger amenities at airports is a continuous process, which is undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) or the airport operators, in coordination with the state governments, depending upon operational requirements, traffic, demand, commercial feasibility, etc.

Further, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ensures aviation safety through a robust oversight system, including regular surveillance, spot checks, and audits. It follows an Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) for inspections and ensures that audit findings are addressed with verified corrective actions, said the minister.

Meanwhile, more than 157 lakh passengers have benefited from the operation of 3.27 lakh UDAN flights, connecting various destinations across the country, including tier 2 cities.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the expansion is good, I hope the focus is also on sustainability and affordability. "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik" should mean the common person can actually afford these tickets regularly, not just for a promotional period.
A
Aman W
87 routes in UP alone is impressive! Better connectivity within the state can boost tourism to places like Ayodhya, Varanasi, and the Buddhist circuit. This is a game-changer for the local economy.
S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently for work from a smaller city, the UDAN scheme has been a blessing. The time saved is enormous compared to long train or road journeys. The key now is to ensure reliability and frequency of these flights.
K
Karthik V
Good progress, but what about the infrastructure at these new airports? I took a UDAN flight to a new destination, and the terminal was very basic. The article mentions upgradation is continuous, so I hope that's prioritized alongside adding new routes.
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Nisha Z
Connecting 93 airports and heliports is a massive achievement. The inclusion of water aerodromes is interesting – could be great for tourism in coastal areas and the Northeast. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

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