UDAN scheme will enhance connectivity to 120 new destinations
NATIONAL: Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu Thursday announced that the next phase of the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme will enhance connectivity to 120 new destinations and facilitate travel for four crore passengers over the next decade. During a workshop in New Delhi, Naidu detailed that the revamped scheme broadens eligibility for viability gap funding, extends support for airlines from three to five years and provides operational and maintenance assistance for selected Tier-2 and Tier-3 airports.
The government has allocated an outlay of 29 thousand crore rupees for this phase, targeting the development of 100 additional airports and 200 heliports within ten years.
Furthermore, Naidu stressed that this phase of UDAN supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by expanding local aircraft manufacturing, strengthening the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) ecosystem, generating employment and adding to regional economic growth. During the event, he presented the Modified UDAN Scheme to stakeholders offering a comparative analysis with the previous version.
A significant aspect of the workshop was the launch of the UDAN Scheme Document, which outlines the vision, objectives and implementation framework for the upcoming phase. This document serves as a strategic roadmap for enhancing regional connectivity, improving airport infrastructure and creating new growth opportunities within the aviation sector.