Answer

India’s geographic diversity and economic potential demand better regional air connectivity to enhance inclusive growth. The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched in 2016, aims to make air travel accessible and affordable for all, especially those in remote and underserved regions, by improving connectivity across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Need for Expanding Regional Air Connectivity in India:

• Boost Economic Growth and Tourism: Expanding regional air connectivity enhances economic development by opening up new markets and promoting tourism. Improved access to underserved regions stimulates business investments and boosts local economies.
  For example: The UDAN scheme’s flights to destinations like Shillong and Port Blair have increased tourism and local commerce.
• Improve Accessibility to Remote Areas: Regional air connectivity bridges the gap between remote, difficult-to-reach areas and urban centers, improving access to essential services like healthcare, education, and trade.
  For example: The introduction of flights to North-Eastern states under UDAN has improved connectivity to previously isolated regions.
• Promote Balanced Regional Development: Improved air connectivity helps distribute growth and resources more evenly across regions, reducing the economic disparity between metropolitan cities and smaller towns.
  For example: Expansion of airports in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities like Hubli and Jharsuguda has helped foster industrial and commercial growth in those areas.
• Reduce Congestion at Major Airports: Strengthening regional air networks helps divert traffic from overburdened metropolitan airports, reducing congestion and improving operational efficiency.
  For instance: The development of secondary airports has alleviated traffic at nearby major airports.
• Enhance National Security and Disaster Management: Regional air connectivity can improve national security by ensuring rapid deployment of resources and personnel to border or disaster-prone areas during emergencies.
  For example: Enhanced connectivity to border areas in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East has strengthened India’s strategic preparedness and disaster response capabilities.

Udan (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme:

• Affordable Air Travel: The UDAN Scheme aims to make air travel affordable by capping airfares for flights on regional routes. The government provides financial incentives in the form of viability gap funding (VGF) to airlines for operating flights on loss-making regional routes. This allows passengers to avail of cheaper airfares for a capped number of seats on every flight.
• Improving Regional Connectivity: The scheme focuses on reviving underutilised and unserved airports, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, by linking them with urban hubs. This improves regional connectivity and promotes economic and social inclusion, particularly in remote and economically backward regions.
• Promoting Balanced Development: The scheme aims to ensure balanced economic development across regions by connecting remote and underserved areas with major economic hubs. By improving accessibility, it helps unlock the economic potential of smaller cities and towns, promoting industrial growth, tourism, and job creation.
• Infrastructure Development: UDAN is also focused on the development of aviation infrastructure, such as airport terminals, runways, and air traffic control systems, at regional airports. The scheme has led to the operationalization of several airports that were previously dormant or underutilised.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model: The scheme operates on a PPP model where private airlines and airport operators are encouraged to participate in the expansion of regional air connectivity. The government provides subsidies to reduce operating costs and incentivizes private operators to offer services on regional routes.

Achievements of UDAN Scheme Since Its Inception:

• Revival of Regional Airports: The scheme led to the operationalization of many underutilised airports, boosting regional connectivity.
  For example: Mysore Airport in Karnataka was revived under UDAN.
• Introduction of New Air Routes: The scheme introduced several new air routes linking underserved regions.
  For example: The Hubli to Hindon route expanded travel options for lesser-served regions.
• Inclusion of Helicopter Services: The scheme introduced helicopter services to connect difficult terrains, particularly in mountainous and forested regions.
  For example: Pawan Hans’s UDAN-RCS services are launched in Uttarakhand link remote areas.
• Promotion of Equitable Development: The UDAN scheme has ensured balanced development by linking remote areas with economic hubs.
  For example: UDAN led Jharsuguda Airport in Odisha spurred local economic activity by improving connectivity.
• Private Airline Participation: The competitive framework of UDAN encouraged private airlines to participate and expand services on new routes.
  For example: IndiGo expanded its services under the UDAN scheme.

The UDAN scheme has made notable progress in connecting underserved regions, promoting economic development, and fostering social inclusion. However, sustained infrastructure investments, strategic policy measures, and operational efficiency are vital to fully realise the potential of regional air connectivity in achieving India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

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