Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new airports on Sunday, developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik). The airports—Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh—are set to begin operations soon, enhancing air connectivity in these regions.
According to a government release, the Maa Mahamaya Airport Ambikapur , will significantly reduce travel time for residents, providing them with a more efficient and cost-effective means of reaching major cities across India. The improved air connectivity is expected to open up new opportunities in terms of education, healthcare, and employment.
Maa Mahamaya Airport’s development was part of the Government of India’s RCS-UDAN initiative. Spanning 365 acres and built at a cost of ₹80 crore, the airport is classified as a 3C VFR category facility, capable of handling 72-seater aircraft. Its terminal, designed to accommodate up to 500,000 passengers annually, represents a major upgrade in the region’s infrastructure.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Governor Ramen Deka, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, and several other dignitaries attended the event.
Speaking on occasion, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the airport marks a historic moment for the region and will be providing employment and connectivity to mainstream regions for the people.
“The Maa Mahamaya Airport is not just a transportation hub; it symbolizes progress for the entire Surguja region. This initiative will enhance access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities, fostering growth in line with our vision of a developed India by 2047,” said Sai.
The RCS- UDAN, a government-backed initiative to improve infrastructure and connectivity in India, especially in remote and underserved regions, completes seven years. It is a vital component of India’s National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on October 21, 2016, with a 10-year vision.
The first RCS-UDAN flight was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on April 27, 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi. The scheme focuses on improving unserved air routes in underserved regions of the country and fulfilling the aspirations of the common citizens.
So far, the RCS-UDAN has facilitated travel of more than 144 lakh passengers, demonstrating its success in enhancing air travel accessibility.