Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme–Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), a total of 651 routes have been operationalised across the country, connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and two water aerodromes, as on November 30, Parliament was informed on Thursday.
Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, said that in Uttar Pradesh, 87 routes connecting 12 airports have been operationalised under the scheme.
The government has also announced the launch of a modified UDAN scheme aimed at further enhancing regional air connectivity. The revamped programme proposes to connect 120 new destinations across the country, including Uttar Pradesh, and is expected to cater to four crore passengers over the next 10 years. The scheme is currently at the approval stage, the minister said.
Explaining the process for developing new airports, Naidu said that under the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, any airport developer, including state governments, must identify a suitable site, conduct a pre-feasibility study, and submit a proposal to the Central Government for site clearance, followed by in-principle approval.
Under this policy, the Government of India has granted in-principle approval to 24 greenfield airports across the country, of which 13 have already been operationalised, he added.
The minister further said that the upgradation of airport infrastructure and passenger amenities is a continuous process. Such works are undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) or airport operators in coordination with state governments, depending on operational requirements, passenger traffic, demand and commercial feasibility.
On aviation safety, Naidu said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ensures compliance through a robust oversight mechanism that includes regular surveillance, spot checks and audits. The regulator follows an Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) and ensures that audit observations are addressed through verified corrective actions.
Meanwhile, more than 157 lakh passengers have benefited from the operation of 3.27 lakh UDAN flights, connecting various destinations across the country, including Tier-II cities, the minister said.
— IANS
