Lok Sabha Question No. 298 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: RCS-UDAN Scheme for Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 298

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  12th March 2026 )

## RCS-UDAN SCHEME FOR TAMIL NADU

298.    SHRI NAVASKANI K SHRI SELVAM G Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that multiple routes in Tamil Nadu  have been operationalised under various rounds of the Regional Connectivity  Scheme  (RCS)-UDAN,  contributing  to  improved  regional  air connectivity across the State and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the impact of these routes on passenger traffic, tourism, business mobility and regional economic development in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities of Tamil Nadu;
- (c) the progress made in strengthening regional airport infrastructure in the State including  airports  where  development  works  have  been  completed  and  are  at advanced stages of licensing;
- (d)  whether  the  UDAN  5.4  Scheme,  launched  in  2024,  aims  to  revive discontinued  or  terminated  routes  through  competitive  bidding  and  if  so,  the details thereof alongwith the number of such routes identified or revived in Tamil Nadu; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to further expand regional air connectivity in Tamil Nadu under future rounds of the Scheme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION                       (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)

- (a) & (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.298 FOR REPLY ON 12.03.2026 REGARDING 'RCS-UDAN SCHEME FOR TAMIL NADU' ASKED BY SHRI NAVASKANI K AND SHRI SELVAM G.

(a) to (e):  As on 28.02.2026, 663 routes, including 26 routes in Tamil Nadu, have been operationalised across the country under the Regional Connectivity SchemeUde  Desh  ka  Aam  Naagrik  (RCS-UDAN).  In  the  state  of  Tamil  Nadu,  four airports, namely Salem, Vellore, Neyveli and Tanjore, have been identified for the development and operation of RCS flights. Salem Airport was developed at a cost of Rs. 24.44 Cr and operationalised under the UDAN Scheme. The licensing process and overall operational readiness are underway in respect of Vellore and Neyveli.    For  the  development  of  Tanjore  Airport,  AAI  has  requested  the Government of Tamil Nadu to provide a straight and direct approach road to the Airport,  as  the  existing  land  area  does  not  have  straight  connectivity  to  the National  Highway.  The  land  is  yet  to  be  provided  by  the  State  Government. Additionally, modernisation and infrastructure expansion work have been carried out at Trichy, Tuticorin, Coimbatore, Chennai and Madurai Airports. The details are placed at Annexure. Further, Madurai Airport has recently been declared as an International Airport.  UDAN 5.4, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in August 2024, revived the previously cancelled routes, which were identified as  eligible  for  re-bidding.  These  include  routes  that  could  not  commence operations, could not complete their three-year tenure, or remained unserved for one year after completion of the three-year tenure. Under UDAN 5.4, no RCS routes connecting the Tamil Nadu state were eligible for re-bidding.  UDAN has strengthened the unserved and underserved regions by improving connectivity and accessibility, boosting tourism and industry, enhancing access to healthcare, and generating direct and indirect employment. The Government has announced the  Modified  UDAN  Scheme  to  expand  regional  connectivity  to120  new destinations nationwide, targeting 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years.

## Details of Modernisation work at Airports in Tamil Nadu

|   Sl.N o. | Airport     | Expenditu re   | Details of work carried out                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|-----------|-------------|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Trichy      | 1,162.9 Cr     | Construction of a new terminal building and surface car parking and associated works has been completed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|         2 | Tuticorin   | 318.16Cr       | Construction of a new domestic terminal building with three aerobridges, ATC Tower- cum-Technical Block, Category-7 fire station and associated works Extension of runway including blast pad, RESA, taxiway, apron, GSE area, isolation bay, and other associated works                                                                                 |
|         3 | Coimbator e | 63.31Cr        | Construction of an additional apron and Runway resurfacing is completed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|         4 | Chennai     | 1,640.87Cr     | Modernization of Chennai Airport Phase-II, Part-1 (Terminal 2) is completed Development of city-side traffic flow management with plaza, pick-up lanes, and ancillary facilities at Chennai Airport. Reconstruction and strengthening of Taxi Tracks with link taxi, part runway resurfacing has been completed Construction of MLCP at Chennai Airport. |
|         5 | Madurai     | 98.84Cr        | Construction of the new ATC cum Technical block is completed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |