UDAN 2.0 – BOOSTING REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY IN INDIA

PRELIMS BITS

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) 2.0 aims to improve regional aviation by enhancing affordable air travel to underserved areas and revitalizing existing airports. The scheme will focus on upgrading infrastructure and easing regulations for new airlines. The government plans a larger budget allocation to increase operational airports to 350-400 by 2047.

Key Features:

• Goals: Make air travel affordable, revitalize airports, and simplify operational rules.
• Funding: Viability Gap Funding (VGF) from central and state governments to support operations in underserved regions.
• Achievements: Over 85 aerodromes operational since 2016, with 1.44 crore passengers served and 601 routes launched.
• Cost Reduction: Plans to cut operational costs of small airports, making them more sustainable.
• Vision: By 2047, develop 100+ underutilized airstrips to meet growing regional air travel demand.