Lok Sabha Question No. 1965 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-28
Subject: Implementation of RCS
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1965

(To be answered on the 28 th  July 2022)

## IMPLEMENTATION OF RCS

## 1965. SHRI RANJEETSINGH HINDURAO NAIK NIMBALKAR

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the current status of the implementation of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) started for the purpose of making air-travel affordable for the
- commonman;
- (b) the number of routes to be connected announced so far under the said scheme in the country including Maharashtra;
- (c)  whether  it  is  proposed  to  start  air  service  from  Phaltan  Airport, Maharashtra to cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Indore etc. and to provide direct air service to Delhi under this scheme;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the air service is likely to be started;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to start flights from closed or underutilised airports under RCS scheme; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof especially with regard to Maharashtra?

## ANSWER

(Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia)

- (a) & (b): Airports Authority of India (AAI), Implementing Agency has awarded 954 valid routes to Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) in the country Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), out of which, 425 RCS routes connecting 68 airports have been operationalised including 2 Water Aerodrome & 8 Heliports, so far. More than 1.0 Crores people have availed benefit of the UDAN scheme since its inception.
- (c) & (d): Phaltan Airstrip in Maharashtra is available in the tentative list of unserved airports in the UDAN scheme Document for bidding. However, none of the airlines has submitted any proposal to operate RCS flight from the

airport, so far. In case, any airline submits valid bid connecting the Airstrip, the same shall be considered as per the provisions of the UDAN Scheme. (e) & (f): Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on 21-10-2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country and  making air travel affordable to the masses. Under the UDAN scheme, the unserved & underserved airports/airstrips identified/awarded in the State of Maharashtra to operate RCS flights are Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Sholapur, Ozar (Nasik), Nanded, Amravati, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Gondia. RCS flights operation from the six airports namely Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Ozar (Nasik), Nanded, Gondia & Sindhudurg airports have already commenced under UDAN.  Development/Upgradation of Airports at Ratnagiri and Solapur depends upon the fulfillment of  land availability, removal of obstacles, regulatory compliances, etc.  Amravati Airport is being developed by the State Government. The airports / airstrips namely Akola,Amravati, Baramati, Chandrapur, Darna Camp, Deolali, Dhulia, Jath,Karad, Kawalpur,Kudal, Latur (MADC), Lonavala Amby Valley, Osmanabad, Phaltan, Shirpur, Waluj in Maharashtra are available in Scheme document. If any airline submits a bid for connecting these airports, the same shall be considered as per the provisions of the Scheme Document.

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