Lok Sabha Question No. 798 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Operational Airports under UDAN
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 798

(To be answered on the 24 th  July 2025)

## OPERATIONAL AIRPORTS UNDER UDAN

## 798. SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the current operational status of airports developed under the UDAN scheme across the country, particularly Halwara Airport in Ludhiana;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of air connectivity improvements in Tier-3 towns and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of routes under UDAN that have become financially self-
- sustainable;
- (d) the support being provided to smaller airlines facing financial stress;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  incentivise  green  airport infrastructure and electric ground vehicles and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether it is true that the implementation of air safety protocols has improved at regional airports and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) & (b): Since the commencement of the Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), 92 unserved and underserved airports,  including  15  heliports  and  2  water  aerodromes  have  been operationalized across the country. The development work at Halwara Airport is currently underway by the State Government.

The following studies have been conducted on the RCS-UDAN Scheme that also cover air connectivity improvements in Tier-2 & 3 towns:

1. "The Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN Progress and Prospects" by the
2. Indian School of Business (ISB), (2021-22).
2. "Evaluation Study of Regional Connectivity Scheme" by DMEO NITI
4. Aayog (2023-24).
5. (c): Around 150 RCS routes operationalised under UDAN have become self-

sustainable.

(d): With the repeal of Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation has been deregulated. The financial and operational decisions, including resource mobilization, and debt restructuring, are managed by the respective airline managements based on  commercial  considerations.  The  Government  creates  a  conducive ecosystem for the sector to grow through simplified regulations and by

(e):The Ministry of Civil Aviation has advised all operational and upcoming airports  to  work  towards  Carbon  Neutrality  and  Net  Zero  emissions, including the carbon emission mapping and adoption of green energy. Knowledge-sharing sessions have been conducted to standardize carbon accounting and raise awareness on climate change mitigation.The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) also considers capital expenditure on green energy and carbon neutrality while determining tariffs for major

(f): All DGCA licensed airports have to maintain prescribed standards and fitness for use by Aircraft operations during the whole period of currency of the license. DGCA carries out Annual Surveillances, Spot checks etc. for enhancing the ease of doing business. airports. monitoring compliances.

- *****