UDAN completes five years; operates 65 RCS Routes and 6 Airports in Maharashtra

India's Ministry of Civil Aviation’s flagship program Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has completed five years of success since the launch of it first flight by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on April 27, 2017. The scheme was initiatedon October 21, 2016, with the objective to fulfill aspirations of the common citizen by following the vision of ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik’. This was launched with an enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities.

As per reports, UDAN, in the last five years, has significantly increased the regional air-connectivity in the country. Data reveals that there were 74 operational airports in 2014, however, with the implementation of the UDAN scheme, this number has increased to 141.

Moreover, 68 underserved or unserved destinations which include 58 Airports, eight Heliports and two Water Aerodromes have been connected under the scheme. Meanwhile, the concerned body has also initiated 425 new routes initiated due to which UDAN has been able to provid air connectivity to more than 29 States and UTs across the country. 

Officials revealed that over one crore passengers have availed the benefits of this scheme as on August 4, 2022, and that the UDAN scheme has also provided a much-needed platform to the regional carriers to scale up their operations.

State wise details of RCS Routes & Airports operationalized under UDAN reveals that the second highest number of RCS routes and RCS airports were in Maharashtra. As of today, the state has 65 RCS routes and six RCS airports in the state, which are located in Gondia, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Nanded, Nasik, and Sindhudurg areas.

On the other hand, lifeline UDAN initiative commenced in March 2020 during coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic period and helped  operate 588 flights, thereby eventually transporting almost 1000 Tonnes of voluminous cargo and essential medical services to various parts of the country.

RCS-UDAN was awarded Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration under Innovation Category for the year 2020.  Republic Day Tableau for  January 26, 2022, on UDAN was adjudged as the Best Tableau by the Ministry of Defence.