Lok Sabha Question No. 773 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-07
Subject: UDAN Scheme for Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Ganesan Selvam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 773

(To be answered on the 7 th  December 2023)

## UDAN SCHEME FOR TAMIL NADU

773. SHRI SELVAM G.

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government proposes to add more airports across the country for improving regional connectivity under Udan Scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that development of smaller, existing airports in Tamil Nadu is yet to take off under Udan Scheme and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d) the contribution of UDAN scheme in the overall development of Civil Aviation Sector;
- (e)  whether  Airport  Authority  of  India  (AAI)  has  embarked  upon development and expansion of airports in the country, if so, the details thereof and the amount allocated and utilized for the purpose; and
- (f)  the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance  regional  air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country to make air travel affordable to the masses?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a)  Under Phase-I of the scheme for  'Revival and Upgradation of unserved and underserved Airports/Heliports/Water Aerodromes, the Government has targeted development of 100 Aerodromes. 76 Aerodromes including 2 Water Aerodromes and 9 Heliports have been operationalised so far. Under Phase-II of the scheme, additional 50 aerodromes have been targeted to be developed.
- (b) to (c):  Five airports, namely, Vellore, Neyveli, Salem, Ramnad and Thanjavur have been identified  for development and operationalisation under the UDAN Scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu.  Salem Airport has already been operationalised. Development works at Vellore and Neyveli have

been completed and licensing is in progress. The works related to the establishment of the Civil Enclave at Thanjavur Airport is being carried out by the Airports Authority of India(AAI). The site for Ramnad Airport is to be finalised and handed over by the State Government  to the Airports Authority of India for development under the Regional Connectivity Scheme. 24 routes have so far been operationalised in the State under UDAN. (d)  :    Development  and  revival  of    the  existing  airports  has    provided connectivity to the  remote and hilly areas at affordable rates under UDAN which would contribute to the growth of  the local economy.  517 routes connecting 76 airports, including 9 Heliports & 2 Water Aerodromes, have commenced and more than 130 lakh people have so far availed of the benefits of the UDAN Scheme. VGF amounting to Rs. 3020 crores has been disbursed to Selected Airline Operators as of 31.10.2023. An expenditure of  Rs. 3751 Crores has so far been incurred towards development of airports under the "Revival/Development of unserved and underserved Airports/Heliports/Water Aerodromes" Scheme. (e): Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other airport developers have targeted capital outlay of approximately Rs. 98,000 crore in the airports sector during 2019-24 for expansion and modification of existing terminals, strengthening of runways and developing Greenfield Airports among other activities to meet the growing air traffic demands. (f):  Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), launched on 21.10.2016, aims to stimulate regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable to the masses. With a view  to enhance connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country and achieve last mile connectivity through helicopters, UDAN  5.1 has been launched. The ongoing UDAN 5.2 seeks to enhance connectivity through small aircraft.

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