Aimed at connecting small and medium cities with big cities through air service, the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s flagship program Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has completed 5 years of success since the launch of it first flight by PM Narendra Modi on April 27, 2017. The scheme was initiated on October 21, 2016.
From just 74 operational airports in 2014 (when the Modi-led government came in power), the number has jumped up to 141 by now, according to the ministry. 68 underserved/unserved destinations which include 58 Airports, 8 Heliports and 2 Water Aerodromes have been connected under the scheme.
40 crore travelers in next four years
Moreover, the ambitious scheme has provided air connectivity to more than 29 States/UTs with the initiation of 425 new routes. The UDAN scheme has benefited over 1 crore passengers as on August 4, 2022 and the government is expecting 40 crore travelers through Civil Aviation in India in next four years.
Further, 220 destinations (airports/heliports/water aerodromes) under UDAN are targeted to be completed by 2026 with 1,000 routes to provide air connectivity to unconnected destinations in the country. Under UDAN, 954 routes have already been awarded to connect 156 airports.
‘Aviation will become bulwark of transportation’
On the occasion, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, “The Success of RCS UDAN is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to PM’s vision of ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik’. In next 4 years we are expecting 40 crore travelers through Civil Aviation in India.”
That day is not far when along with rail transport and road transport Civil Aviation will become the bulwark of the transportation in India, he highlighted.
UDAN created a framework based on the need and led to the formulation of:
– Lifeline UDAN (for transportation of medical cargo during pandemic).
– Krishi UDAN (value realization of agriculture products especially in Northeastern Region {NER} and tribal districts).
– International UDAN routes for NER to explore International Connectivity from / to Guwahati and Imphal.
