Viksit Udan: PM Modi Launches Expanded UDAN Scheme to Make Air Travel Easier; How It Will Boost Growth in Smaller Towns
Air travel could soon become easier and more affordable for people living in India's small towns and remote areas. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the next phase of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme and inaugurated a new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport. This marks another step towards improving regional air connectivity.
Launched in 2016, the UDAN scheme has made air travel possible for many first-time flyers by providing affordable services on regional routes. To date, it has connected 95 airports, heliports, and water aerodromes across 669 routes, benefiting over 1.66 crore passengers.
The new phase of the UDAN scheme, approved with a budget of approximately Rs 29,000 crore for the coming decade, aims to further advance this initiative. Under this phase, 100 new aerodromes will be developed from existing unused airstrips, 200 helipads will be constructed, and continued support will be provided to regional airports and airlines to ensure air services remain operational in areas with limited connectivity.
Ordinary citizens are expected to benefit the most
Ordinary citizens are expected to benefit the most from this. Students will find it easier to travel for higher education, patients will gain faster access to better medical facilities, and farmers and small businesses will reach markets more quickly; meanwhile, improved connectivity will attract tourists and create new jobs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated a new rs 480-crore terminal at Jodhpur Airport. Equipped with modern amenities and capable of handling 20 lakh passengers annually, this terminal will boost tourism, trade, and investment in Western Rajasthan while offering passengers a faster and more comfortable travel experience.