Syllabus:

GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. 

GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. 

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has celebrated the 9th anniversary of the Regional Connectivity Scheme - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). 

More on the News

• The government reaffirmed its commitment to extend the scheme beyond April 2027 under an Expanded UDAN Framework.
• The upcoming phase will emphasize improved connectivity in hilly, North-Eastern, and aspirational districts, with plans to develop around 120 new destinations.
• The government has committed to developing 50 new airports over the next five years which includes new greenfield airports in Bihar, expansion of Patna Airport, and development of a brownfield airport at Bihta to meet future demand and support regional growth.

UDAN Scheme

• Origin: The UDAN initiative was launched on 21st October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) , with a ten-year vision to connect Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities through a market-driven model backed by government support.
• Objective: To make regional air travel affordable, accessible, and widespread, bridging the gap between urban and remote regions.
• The first UDAN flight on 27th April 2017 between Shimla and Delhi marked a new era in regional aviation connectivity.

• Key Features

• Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Financial assistance provided to airlines to offset operational costs and maintain low airfares.
• Airfare Cap: A ceiling on ticket prices ensures affordability for passengers on regional routes.
• Collaborative Governance: The scheme functions through joint coordination among the Central and State Governments, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and private operators to achieve seamless implementation and monitoring.

Achievements 

• Democratizing Air travel: The scheme has successfully operationalised 649 routes, connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, along with 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes.

• This has facilitated air travel for 1.56 crore passengers through 3.23 lakh flights over a span of nine years.

• Financial Assistance: The government has disbursed over ₹4,300 crore as Viability Gap Funding to support airline operations and regional infrastructure development.

• The AAI exempts Terminal Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) and applies discounted Route Navigation and Facilitation Charges (RNFC) for RCS flights. 

• Expansion of Services: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has introduced Comprehensive Guidelines for Seaplane Operations and launched UDAN 5.5, a dedicated bidding round for seaplane and helicopter services.

• Under UDAN 5.5, the government has issued Letters of Intent for 150 routes, connecting 30 water aerodromes across various coastal and island regions.

• Various initiatives under UDAN Scheme:

• Krishi UDAN: It aims to boost the air transportation of agricultural produce by making air cargo more affordable and accessible for farmers. 
• UDAN Yatri Cafes: launched at Kolkata and Chennai airports to offer affordable food options to travellers. 
• Lifeline UDAN: This special initiative was launched in March 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown to ensure uninterrupted medical and essential supply deliveries.

Sources
Ani News
DD News