The Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme, which translates to “Let the common citizens of the country fly,” is a transformative initiative by the Government of India. Launched on October 21, 2016, UDAN aims to enhance regional connectivity, make air travel affordable, and boost economic development across India. Let’s delve into the details of this groundbreaking scheme.
What is UDAN?
UDAN-RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) is a comprehensive program that focuses on upgrading under-serviced air routes. It encompasses the following key components:
- Greenfield Airports: Setting up new airports in underserved regions.
- Brownfield Airports: Upgrading existing airports to improve infrastructure.
- Affordable Airfares: Ensuring capped airfares to make flying accessible to all.
Objectives of UDAN:
The UDAN scheme has several critical objectives:
- Enhance Regional Connectivity: By connecting unserved and under-served airports, UDAN bridges the gap between urban and rural areas.
- Boost Economic Development: Improved air connectivity stimulates tourism, trade, and investment in remote regions.
- Make Air Travel Affordable: Subsidized fares encourage more people to choose air travel over other modes of transport.
- Create Jobs: The scheme generates employment opportunities in aviation, tourism, and related sectors.
Phases of UDAN:
- UDAN 1.0:
- Launched in 2017, UDAN 1.0 aimed to connect underserved and unserved airports across India.
- Key Achievements:
- 36 new airports were commissioned.
- 128 flight routes were awarded to 5 airline companies, benefiting 70 airports.
- UDAN 2.0:
- Introduced in 2018, UDAN 2.0 expanded air connectivity to more remote and inaccessible parts of the country.
- Notable Features:
- For the first time, helipads were included.
- 73 unserved airports were announced, further enhancing regional connectivity.
- UDAN 3.0:
- Launched in November 2018, UDAN 3.0 focused on enhancing air connectivity to hilly and remote regions.
- Key Additions:
- Special emphasis on improving connectivity in the North-East region.
- Tourist routes were introduced.
- Seaplanes connected water aerodromes.
- UDAN 4.0:
- Rolled out in December 2019, UDAN 4.0 aimed to connect islands and other remote areas.
- Noteworthy Aspects:
- Continued efforts to bridge gaps in air connectivity.
- Addressed specific challenges faced by isolated regions.
- UDAN 5.0 (Recent Launch):
- Category-2 (20-80 seats) and Category-3 (>80 seats) aircraft focus.
- No distance restriction between origin and destination.
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF) capped at 600 km stage length.
- Airlines propose routes; no predetermined offerings.
- Exclusivity of operation withdrawn if average quarterly Passenger Load Factor (PLF) exceeds 75% for four consecutive quarters.
UDAN continues to evolve, connecting India’s skies and making air travel accessible to all.
Impact and Future:
- UDAN has connected 68 underserved/unserved destinations, including airports, helipads, and water aerodromes.
- With 425 new routes, it spans across 29 States/UTs.
- The scheme has led to the construction of 145 airports, including heliports and water aerodromes,
- India plans to build additional airports to decongest major cities by 2030, 2040, and 2047.
Conclusion:
UDAN-RCS is not just about flying—it’s about empowering citizens, fostering economic growth, and realizing India’s aviation potential. As the scheme continues to evolve, it promises a brighter future for air travel in the country.
