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

GS 3
Economy
2024
15 Marks

Subject: Economy

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) was launched in 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy, UDAN caps fares (≈ ₹2,500 for a one-hour, 500 km flight) and offers viability-gap funding, tax cuts on aviation turbine fuel and fee waivers to airlines operating on unserved or underserved routes.

Features of UDAN Scheme

Features of UDAN Scheme

Features of UDAN Scheme

Why wider regional air links matter

  • Balanced growth – Air bridges between Tier-2/3 cities and metros disperse investment, integrate markets and shrink regional disparities.
  • Tourism & trade – Faster access to destinations such as Darbhanga or Pakyong boosts local hospitality, handicrafts and perishables exports.
  • Time efficiency – Flights cut ten-hour road trips to roughly sixty minutes, raising productivity and business reach.
  • Jobs & skills – Each revived airport spurs direct and indirect employment in ground handling, logistics and allied services.
  • Strategic & disaster response – All-weather strips in border or hazard-prone zones strengthen security logistics and emergency relief.
  • Metro decongestion – Shifting point-to-point traffic to regional corridors eases saturation at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru hubs.

Milestones to April 2025

MetricStatusImpact
Routes operationalised625Connects thin markets to the national grid
Airports / heliports / water aerodromes served90 / 15 / 2Network expanded from 74 in 2014 to 159 airports in 2024
Passengers flown1.49 croreMakes air travel affordable for the masses
Flights operated2.8 lakh (August 2024)Provides regular, reliable regional services
Viability-gap funding sanctioned₹4,023 croreKeeps fares within the cap

Assessment

  • UDAN has democratised flying, revived dormant airports such as Jharsuguda, Kishangarh and Tezu, and nurtured new regional carriers.
  • Roughly one-third of awarded routes have lapsed, mainly due to weak demand and airline finances.
  • But a revamped UDAN 2025 aims for 120 additional destinations and 4 crore new passengers, with a push for water aerodromes and seaplanes.

Expanding regional connectivity through UDAN therefore remains central to inclusive growth, seamless mobility and a more integrated Indian economy.

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