UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)

Why in news?

• Government unveils 50 new flight routes on 9^th September 2021, under UDAN scheme to be implemented in next 100 days.

About UDAN:

• UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam naagrik) or the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) seeks to provide connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports.
• It was launched by Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2016. The scheme is operational for a period of 10 years.

Provisions:

• Applicable on route length between 200-800 kilometers with no lower limit set for hilly, remote, island and security sensitive regions.
• Reserves a minimum number of UDAN seats i.e. seats at subsidized rates and also cap fare for short distance flights.
• An airfare cap of Rs. 2,500/hr of flying.
• Financial stimulus to airlines in the form of concessions from Central and State governments and airport operators.
• Viability Gap Funding to the interested airlines to kick-off operations from such airports so that the passenger fares are kept affordable.
• Regional Connectivity Fund is created to meet the VGF requirements.
• So far, 766 routes have been sanctioned under the UDAN scheme.
• The 4th round of UDAN was launched in December 2019 with a special focus on North-Eastern Regions, Hilly States, and Islands.
• Under UDAN 4.0, the operation of helicopter and seaplanes is also been incorporated.

Implementing agency:

• Airports Authority of India (AAI)

About International UDAN:

• It is a new international air connectivity scheme that plans to connect India‘s smaller cities directly to some key foreign destinations in the neighbourhood.
• It seeks to make use of the open skies policy that India has with other Asian countries that allows direct and unlimited flights to and from these nations.
• Unlike in domestic UDAN, it is only the State government that will provide the financial support for flights under international UDAN.

Add ons:

• Recently Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has proposed about 392 routes under UDAN 4.1 bidding process.
• The UDAN 4.1 focuses on connecting smaller airports, along with special helicopter and seaplane routes.
• Some new routes have been proposed under the Sagarmala Seaplane services
  • Sagarmala Seaplane Services is an ambitious project under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with potential airline operators.
  • One such seaplane service is already in operation between Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, which was started in October 2020.

PRACTICE QUESTION

With reference to ‘UDAN/ Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)’, consider the following statements:

1. Airlines participating in UDAN are selected through a competitive bidding process

2. Operation of helicopter and seaplanes is also been incorporated under the scheme.

3. The scheme is implemented by Airports Authority of India

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer