Lok Sabha Question No. 400 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Operationalisation of Unserved Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Manna Lal Rawat, Dr. Rajesh Mishra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. : 400

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  19th March 2026 )

## OPERATIONALISATION OF UNSERVED AIRPORTS

400.      DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT DR. RAJESH MISHRA Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has achieved the target of operationalising hundred unserved or underserved airports by the beginning of the year 2026 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the roadmap prepared and targets set under the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme for the next phase of expansion of unserved and underserved airports along with the timeline fixed and locations proposed in this regard;
- (c) whether the increased budgetary allocation for the UDAN scheme during the financial year 2026-27 is proposed to be utilised for the tourist town of Rajgir in Nalanda district and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the manner in which the said increased budgetary allocation is likely to be utilised to expand last-mile connectivity in the country, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan, North-Eastern Region and Madhya Pradesh; and
- (e) whether the Government has finalised the Seaplane Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to promote tourism in island territories and coastal States and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION                      (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (A)  to  (E)  IN RESPECT  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.400  FOR REPLY  ON  19.03.2026  REGARDING  'OPERATIONALISATION  OF UNSERVED AIRPORTS ' ASKED BY DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT & DR. RAJESH MISHRA.

(a) to (d): Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN, as on 28.02.2026, 663  routes  connecting  95  unserved  and  underserved  airports  (including  17 heliports and 2 water aerodromes) have been operationalised.

To further strengthen and expand regional air connectivity, the Government has announced  the  launch  of  the  modified  UDAN  Scheme  to  increase  regional connectivity  to  120  new  destinations  across  the  country,  to  cater  to  4  crore passengers over the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller  airports  in  hilly,  aspirational,  and  North  East  region  districts.  The scheme is presently at the approval stage.

Rajgir in Nalanda District is not available in the list of unserved airstrips under UDAN.  Under  the  'Revival  of  unserved/underserved  airstrips'  Scheme,  only existing  airstrips  are  taken  up  for  development  upon  identification  in  bidding rounds under UDAN for operating RCS flights. However, Government of Bihar (GoB) in January, 2025 had submitted a proposal seeking 'Site Clearance' for establishment of a Greenfield Airport at Rajgir. The proposal was returned with certain observations requesting GoB to submit duly filled application along with requisite documents.

(e):  In  the  Union  Budget  2026-27,  the  Government  has  announced  the introduction  of  a  Seaplane  VGF  Scheme  to  provide  support  for  Seaplane operations. The scheme is currently at formulation stage.

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