Why in News?
The Prime Minister launched the Modified UDAN Scheme (Viksit UDAN) and inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Jodhpur Airport, marking the next phase of India’s regional aviation expansion.
About UDAN
- UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) was launched in October 2016 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- Objective: Make air travel affordable, accessible, and widespread by improving regional connectivity through the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).
Achievements of UDAN
- 669 regional routes operationalised.
- 95 airports, heliports, and water aerodromes connected.
- Over 1.66 crore passengers benefited.
Key Features of Modified UDAN (2026)
- Approved: 25 March 2026.
- Outlay: Nearly ₹29,000 crore over 10 years.
- Develop 100 new aerodromes from unserved airstrips.
- Note: An aerodrome is any defined location on land or water used for the arrival, departure, and movement of aircraft
- Develop 200 modern helipads.
- Continued Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for regional airlines.
- Operations and Maintenance support for regional airports.
- Promotes indigenous aircraft such as HAL Dhruv and Dornier under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
New Terminal Building, Jodhpur Airport
- Built by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at a cost of ₹480 crore.
- Area: 23,342 sq. m.
- Capacity: 20 lakh passengers annually and 1,500 passengers during peak hours.
- Features 20 check-in counters, 6 aerobridges, advanced baggage handling, and sustainable design targeting a 5-Star GRIHA rating.
Significance
- Improves connectivity to Tier-2, Tier-3, and remote regions.
- Boosts tourism, trade, employment, and regional economic growth.
- Strengthens last-mile air connectivity.
- Supports the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
[2024] Consider the following airports:
1. Donyi Polo Airport
2. Kushinagar International Airport
3. Vijayawada International Airport In the recent past,
which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield project?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3