What is the need for expanding regional air connectivity in India? In this context, discuss the government’s UDAN scheme and its achievements

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, launched by the Government of India in 2017, is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing regional air connectivity and making air travel accessible to the common citizen.

Need for Expanding Regional Air Connectivity:

• Economic Growth: Enhanced connectivity between Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities promotes regional economic development, creating new opportunities in trade, tourism, and investment.
• Balanced Regional Development: Better air connectivity helps bridge the urban-rural divide by linking remote and economically backward regions to major economic hubs.
• Tourism Development: Improved connectivity to remote tourist destinations drive regional tourism, generating local employment and contributing to economic upliftment.
• Accessibility in remote a)reas: Connectivity to Northeast India, hill states, and islands is critical for overcoming geographic challenges and improving access to healthcare, education, and other services.
• Reducing Travel Time: Affordable air travel reduces the time and cost burden of long-distance travel, offering a faster alternative to road and rail travel, thus boosting productivity.

Salient Features of the UDAN Scheme:

• Affordable Airfare Cap: Seats are offered at capped rates, making air travel affordable for common citizens.
• Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Airlines receive subsidies to cover the losses incurred on less profitable regional routes.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP): Encourages private sector participation in developing regional airport infrastructure.
• Focus on Remote Regions: Special emphasis on connecting difficult terrains such as Northeast India, hilly regions, and islands.
• Phase-wise Implementation:
  • UDAN 1.0: 70 airports were operationalized, including 36 new airports.
  • UDAN 2.0: Connected 73 underserved/unserved airports, along with helipads.
  • UDAN 3.0: Introduced seaplanes and added tourism routes.
  • UDAN 4.0: Focused on remote regions, approving 78 new routes.
  • UDAN 5.1: Enhanced helicopter connectivity in remote areas.

Achievements of the UDAN Scheme:

• Increased Operational Airports: The number of operational airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 148 in 2023.
• New Routes: Over 425 new routes have been established under UDAN, enhancing connectivity across 29 states and UTs.
• Underserved/Unserved Connectivity: 68 underserved/unserved destinations have been connected, including 58 airports, 8 heliports, and 2 water aerodromes.
• Passenger Growth: More than 1 crore passengers have benefited from affordable airfares.
• Boost to Rural Economy: Regional connectivity has spurred economic activity in rural and remote regions, contributing to overall national development. 

Conclusion

The scheme promotes inclusive development by connecting rural and remote areas with urban centres, thereby reducing the regional-disparity. By investing in regional air infrastructure and connectivity, India is paving the way for a more integrated and prosperous future, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

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