Modified UDAN scheme: 120 new destinations in next 10 years, know the benefits
Finance Minsiter Nirmala Sitharaman in the budget speech 2025 announced plans to connect 120 new airports over the next 10 years, benefiting 4 crore additional passengers. The 'UDAN' scheme will connect 88 small cities, expanding air travel access and affordability.
by India Today Information Desk · India TodayIn Short
- Government to expand UDAN scheme, connecting 120 new destinations
- 100 GW nuclear power target set for India’s energy transition
- Greenfield airports planned in Bihar for future connectivity
The new version of the UDAN scheme will connect 120 destinations, aiming to serve an additional 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the presentation of the Budget 2025.
The initiative is part of the government's effort to enhance regional connectivity and improve accessibility across the country.
The UDAN scheme was introduced in the year 2016 and has been instrumental in keeping air travel within budget and stretching the network of air, especially in remote areas.
Adding to the UDAN expansion, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared that the government will assist in the development of greenfield airports in Bihar by addressing the state's growing infrastructure needs.
This will improve the connectivity not only within the state but expand to the national and international levels. The government also has declared to develop Bodhgaya as an important spiritual tourist destination.
Under the "UDAN" (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, 88 small cities will be connected through airports, the finance minister stated. The move aligns with the government's vision to make air travel affordable and enhance connectivity to underserved and unserved airports across the country.
The UDAN scheme, launched in 2016, has served over 1.4 crore passengers. So far, 619 routes connecting 88 airports, including two water aerodromes and 13 heliports, have been established.
"India is the fastest-growing aviation market globally. To accommodate the substantial growth in air traffic, Indian airlines have placed amongst the largest orders for aircraft globally," the survey stated.