Lok Sabha Question No. 854 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-21
Subject: Extension of RCS-UDAN Scheme to Hill Stations
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: S.R. Parthiban

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 854 (To be answered on the 21st November 2019)

## EXTENSION OF RCS-UDAN SCHEME TO HILL STATIONS

SHRI PARTHIBAN S.R

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the RCS-UDAN scheme will be extended to hill stations and if the details thereof;
- (c) the number of airports in pipeline under RCS-UDAN scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu; and
- (b) whether under the RCS-UDAN scheme airport in Salem will facilitate the BZB business viability gap funding) for the retail businesses and if s0, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to make any policies and programmes for making our airports green instead of constructing Green airports and if the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a): States of Jammu Kashmir (now Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Nadakh)  Uttarakhand; Himachal Pradesh, North Eastern Region; Andaman Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands have been included as Priority Area(s in the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik): Helicopter services have also been included in the scheme for better connectivity of Priority Area(s)   For Priority RCS Routes, the number of RCS Flights toy be operated in a week with Viability Funding (VGF) shall be a minimum Of three (3) departures and a maximum %f fourteen (145 departures per week from the same RCS Airport s0 that the RCS Flights are operated o at least three () days of the week: Gap

- (b): RCS routes from Chennai to Salem and back has been awarded to Selected Airline Operator (SAO) by the Implementing Agency and commenced on 25.03.2018 and VGF is paid as per the tender document submitted by the SAo. As per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) study"Economic benefit %f Civil Aviation: ripples of prosperity" the output and employment multiplier of Aviation are 3.25 and 6.10 respectively. being
- (c): The airports in pipeline under RCS-UDAN scheme in the state of Tamil Nadu are Vellore; Tanjore, Neyveli and Ramnad.
- (d): In order to comply with green features, measures are taken at airports which include:
- 2 Reduction in consumption of electricity through automation and providing sky lights & glass windows for natural lighting, wherever feasible.
- 1.Solar Energy projects are implemented at various airports for electricity generation.
- 3.Use of high efficiency Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
- 5.Use of energy efficient equipment systems to obtain GRIHA 4-star rating for airport terminals:
- 4Use of BMSMIBMS for energy saving
- 6 Energy audit at Airports for conservation of energy
- 8.Trees/ plants are planted wherever feasible.
- 7.Rain water harvesting schemes at airports are implemented for water conservation. being
- 9.Recycling of waste water for gardening & cleaning purpose using Sewage Treatment Plants.
- 11.Water Audit for conservation of water at Airports.
- 10 Reducing the water usages in washroom through sensor based systems
- 12.Horticulture is done on side and apron side. city