Lok Sabha Question No. 76 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Airports under RCS-UDAN Scheme in Maharashtra
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Kalyan Vaijinathrao Kale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

Lok Sabha

## STARRED QUESTION NO. : 76

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  24th July 2025 )

AIRPORTS UNDER RCS-UDAN SCHEME IN MAHARASHTRA 76.    DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number  and  details of new  airports proposed to be constructed  across  the  country  under  the  Regional  Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN during the year 2025-26, State-wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  construct  airports  in
- Maharashtra under RCS-UDAN;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to include Maharashtra under the next phase of the scheme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION      (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 76 FOR REPLY ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING AIRPORTS UNDER RCS-UDAN  SCHEME  IN  MAHARASHTRA  ASKED  BY  DR. KALYAN  VAIJINATHRAO  KALE.    (a):  The  Government launched  the  RCS-UDAN  Scheme  on  21.10.2016  with  an aim to take flying to the masses by making it affordable, convenient and sustainable air travel for passengers with access to various parts of India. The scheme is working as a catalyst in establishing an integrated eco-system which is leading to significant growth of the civil aviation sector, which in turn is also promoting tourism, increasing employment  and  leading  to  balanced  regional  growth across the country. Since the commencement of the RCSUDAN scheme, 637 RCS routes have been operationalized, connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes across the country.  Under  the  UDAN  Scheme,  153.59  lakh  domestic passengers  have  travelled  in  more  than  3.14  lakh  RCS flights as of July 15, 2025. Development and operationalisation of identified airports/heliports/water aerodromes is a continuous process under the RCS-UDAN Scheme. A list of 10 aerodromes likely to be operationalised across the country, during the year 202526. The state-wise details of airports are as at Annexure. (b)  &  (c):  In  the  state  of  Maharashtra,  seven  airports namely Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Nanded, Gondia, Nasik, Sindhudurg and Amravati have been operationalised so far under the RCS-UDAN Scheme. Sholapur airport has been developed under the Scheme and commercial flight operations  have  commenced.  Ratnagiri  airport  has  been identified and is under development by State Government for operation of RCS flights under the UDAN scheme.  (d): The Government has recently announced the launch of the modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country and cater to 4 crore  passengers  in  the  next  10  years.  In  future,  if  any airline submits a valid bid for the operation of RCS flights connecting  airports  in  Maharashtra,  the  same  will  be considered as per the provisions of the Scheme.

## Annexure

## List of Aerodromes likely to be operationalised during 2025-26

|   Sl.N. | State                    | Airport                 | Owner   | Implementing Agency   |
|---------|--------------------------|-------------------------|---------|-----------------------|
|       1 | Andaman & Nicobar Island | Car Nicobar             | IAF     | AAI                   |
|       2 | Andaman & Nicobar Island | Shibpur                 | INS     | AAI                   |
|       3 | Andaman & Nicobar Island | Campbell Bay            | INS     | AAI                   |
|       4 | Bihar                    | Purnea                  | SG      | AAI                   |
|       5 | Jharkhand                | Bokaro                  | SAIL    | AAI                   |
|       6 | Maharashtra              | Ratnagiri               | ICG     | MADC                  |
|       7 | Odisha                   | Rangeilunda (Berhampur) | SG      | SG                    |
|       8 | Tamil Nadu               | Neyveli                 | NLC     | AAI                   |
|       9 | Tamil Nadu               | Vellore                 | AAI     | AAI                   |
|      10 | Uttar Pradesh            | Saharanpur (Sarsawa)    | IAF     | AAI                   |