In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that the government is all set to launch a modified UDAN scheme to boost regional connectivity across India. The new version of the initiative is to operate 120 new destinations and carry an extra four crores of passengers over the next decade. “Based on the success story of UDAN, this version will be modified to enhance connectivity to the hilly, aspirational and the northeastern regions with helipads and small airports,” Sitharaman said. He pointed out that the scheme had already helped 15 million middle-class passengers to fly and had made air travel more convenient and affordable for them. Launched in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UDAN is to provide sub-60 minute service to unserved and underserved airports, thus boosting regional air travel. As per the Economic Survey, 619 routes have been operationalised, connecting 88 airports, including water aerodromes and heliports. It also noted that there is a continuing capital expenditure plan of more than ₹ 91,000 crore from FY20 to FY25 and 91% of the target was met by November 2024. Furthermore, the finance minister revealed plans to develop greenfield airports in Bihar and to expand Patna airport and upgrade Bihta as a brownfield airport. The expansion of the UDAN scheme shows that the government is serious about enhancing regional connectivity, improving infrastructure and making air travel available to millions of Indians.
UDAN Govt to Connect 120 New Destinations in 10 Years
