New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah celebrated the eighth anniversary of the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, highlighting its role in connecting underserved areas and making air travel affordable.
In a post on X, Shah remarked, "In the eight years of UDAN, the initiative driven by PM Narendra Modi's vision has not only connected the underserved regions of the nation through airways but also has given flight to India's ambitions in the new era." He acknowledged Prime Minister Modi for "unlocking India's growth potential" by providing essential facilities for development across the country.
In the #8YearsOfUDAN, the initiative driven by PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision has not only connected the underserved regions of the nation through airways but also has given flight to India's ambitions in the new era.
Igniting the growth engines scattered across the nooks and… pic.twitter.com/xibDtU7Kxp
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 21, 2024
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During the NDTV World Summit, PM Modi stated, "Today, we are celebrating eight years of UDAN. The UDAN scheme not only made air travel affordable but also enhanced the air network in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Over 3 lakh flights, carrying around 1.5 crore Aam Nagrik, have taken off under this scheme."
Launched on October 21, 2016, the UDAN scheme aims to make air travel affordable for ordinary citizens while improving regional connectivity in India. The airfare for a one-hour journey of about 500 km under this initiative is capped at Rs. 2,500. Prime Minister Modi, who inspired this program, expressed his vision by saying, "A common man who travels in slippers should also be seen in the aircraft. This is my dream."
The UDAN scheme is part of the government's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) managed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It focuses on connecting underserved airports nationwide and assists airlines in operating in less profitable regions through government support. Airlines are encouraged to serve these areas via incentives such as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and reduced charges at airports.
The first UDAN flight took off in April 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi. Since then, the initiative has expanded significantly. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, 86 airports are now operational under UDAN, and over 600 routes, including helicopter services, have been launched to connect remote areas.
The scheme has also stimulated tourism, particularly in regions like the Northeast and popular religious destinations such as Khajuraho and Ajmer. UDAN's reach spans from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh and from Himachal Pradesh to Tamil Nadu.
Since its inception, UDAN has enabled over 1.44 crore passengers to travel across the country, making air travel more accessible. The government aims to increase the number of operational airports from 157 to 350-400 by 2047, continuing to expand the vision of affordable flying for all.
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