Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated three new airports developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The new airports are located in Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh). This development marks a significant step in boosting air connectivity, especially in remote and underserved areas of India.
Overview of RCS-UDAN
Launched on October 21, 2016, under India’s National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), the RCS-UDAN scheme has completed seven years, successfully enhancing air travel for over 144 lakh passengers. The scheme aims to improve infrastructure, increase connectivity, and provide affordable air travel to common citizens by focusing on unserved and underserved regions.
Details of New Three Inaugurated Airports
| Location | State | Features | Expected Flights |
| Rewa | Madhya Pradesh | Improved connectivity in Central India | Regional flights under RCS-UDAN |
| Ambikapur | Chhattisgarh | Boosts connectivity to remote regions | Short-haul regional flights |
| Saharanpur | Uttar Pradesh | Enhances tourism and local trade | Connectivity to major cities |
Milestones in RCS-UDAN Development
UDAN Versions and Achievements
- UDAN 1.0: Awarded 128 flight routes across 70 airports, including 36 newly operational airports.
- UDAN 2.0: Connected 73 underserved airports and introduced helipads.
- UDAN 3.0: Focused on tourism routes, water aerodromes, and the North-East region.
- UDAN 4.0: Emphasized connectivity in Northeastern regions, hilly states, and islands.
- UDAN 5.0 to 5.4: Introduced improvements such as flexible routes, support for helicopters, and enhanced connectivity for small aircraft. Versions 5.3 and 5.4 aimed at reviving discontinued routes.
Key Features of RCS-UDAN
- Boost to Tourism: Promotes tourism by connecting major tourist spots like Khajuraho, Amritsar, and Ajmer.
- Economic Growth: Helps small airlines grow, with over 1,000 aircraft orders placed by Indian carriers to meet rising demand.
- Enhanced Air Connectivity: Connected 34 States/UTs with 86 operational aerodromes, including in the Northeast region.
RCS-UDAN’s Contribution to the Aviation Industry
The scheme has facilitated the emergence of successful regional airlines, including Flybig, Star Air, and IndiaOne Air. By encouraging affordable air travel, RCS-UDAN has created a favorable environment for airlines to develop sustainable business models. The demand for new aircraft has surged, with orders exceeding 1,000 planes to be delivered in the next 10-15 years.
Boost to Tourism and Local Economy
The UDAN scheme not only enhances connectivity but also supports the tourism industry. UDAN 3.0 and 5.1 focused on connecting key tourist destinations, promoting religious and cultural tourism, and boosting local economic growth. Additionally, special airports and heliports were developed to improve access to tourist spots in the Northeast region and Lakshadweep.
Three New Airports Under RCS-UDAN- Summary
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new airports under RCS-UDAN from Varanasi.
- Airports are located in Rewa (MP), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), and Saharanpur (UP).
- RCS-UDAN has completed seven years, facilitating travel for over 144 lakh passengers.
- The scheme has connected 34 States/UTs and operationalized 86 aerodromes.
- Key achievements include tourism routes, support for small aircraft, and enhanced helicopter services.
- New airlines have emerged under this scheme, boosting the aviation industry.
- The scheme has generated orders for over 1,000 aircraft, reflecting increased connectivity demand.
Also Read Latest Current Affairs 2024
| 2024 Economic Freedom of the World Report | Exercise SWAVLAMBAN SHAKTI |
| Bala Devi Becomes First Indian Woman to Score 50 International Goals | ASEAN-India Track 1 Cyber Policy Dialogue |
RCS-UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) is a government-backed scheme to improve air connectivity in remote and underserved regions of India.
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated airports in Rewa (MP), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), and Saharanpur (UP).
UDAN 5.0 focuses on improving air connectivity by prioritizing Category-2 and Category-3 aircraft and removing distance restrictions between routes.
By connecting key tourist destinations, such as Khajuraho and Ajmer, and enhancing helicopter services in hilly regions, the scheme promotes tourism.
The scheme has operationalized 86 aerodromes, connecting 34 States/UTs across India.
The scheme provides opportunities for small regional airlines, helping them grow and develop sustainable business models.
The first RCS-UDAN flight was inaugurated on April 27, 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi.