RCS UDAN

RCS UDAN

MOCA Approves 78 new routes in UDAN 4.0

UDAN 4.0 is more focused on establishment of air connectivity in the priority regions of North East, Hilly States and Islands. A detailed report below on the new sectors based on the govt data released recently.

UDAN in all its versions always mentioned about the convenient connectivity to those sector which are not in the mainstream of the airlines. To facilitate such connectivity govt. offers various financial support as well as relaxation so that more and more airlines can join the scheme and make connectivity successful. However, till now we have seen a mixed match review as many airlines are not able to fulfill its terms or even start in few sectors. But, that has not been a deterrent in the ambitious scheme and recently UDAN 4.0 is released. This time the govt has given more impetus to the North East region and other hilly regions as it was much demanded by the respective states to ease connectivity. The time will tell how the airiness responds to the govt.

scheme as Post Covid 19, it’s been turbulent times for the aviation sector as all new projects are on hold for the time being.

The three successful rounds of bidding, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved 78 new routes under the 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- UdeDeshKaAamNagrik (UDAN) to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country. NER, Hilly States and Islands have been given priority in the approval process for the new routes. 29 served, 08 unserved (including 02 heliports and 01water aerodrome), and 02 underserved airports have been included in the list for approved routes. Overall 766 routes have been sanctioned so far under the UDAN scheme.

Commenting on this development, Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, said, “Following the three successful rounds of bidding, the Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA) had launched the 4th round of UDAN in December 2019 with a special focus on North-Eastern Regions, Hilly States, and Islands. The awarding of these 78 routes under UDAN 4 is in line with the Act East Policy of the Central Government. The airports that had already been developed by AAI are given higher priority for the award of VGF under the Scheme. Under UDAN 4, the operation of helicopter and seaplanes is also been incorporated. Since its inception, MoCA has operationalised 274 UDAN routes that have connected 45 airports and 3 heliports.”

The approved RCS routes include the following:

List of Unserved airports:

1. Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh
2. Rupsi, Assam
3. Bilaspur, Chattisgarh
4. Hisar, Haryana
5. Misa (Heliport), Assam
6. Geleki (Heliport), Assam
7. Minicoy, Lakshadweep
8. Kavaratti (Water aerodrome), Lakshadweep

List of Underserved airports:

1. • Agatti, Lakshadweep
   • Passighat, Arunachal Pradesh