Mysuru, Aug 22: The Centre is set to invest around Rs 28,840 crore over the next 10 years to expand and strengthen the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, giving a fresh push to affordable air travel and better connectivity for smaller cities and underserved regions across India.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu announced the investment while addressing the media in Mysuru after a meeting of the Civil Aviation Consultative Committee. He said the government was building on the progress made by UDAN over the past decade and taking the scheme into its next phase.
The expanded programme is aimed at improving regional air connectivity while supporting the development of airports, heliports and aviation infrastructure. The government is also working closely with state governments to improve airport facilities, streamline operations and make air travel more accessible.
Naidu said the next phase would focus on strengthening the aviation network beyond major metropolitan centres and ensuring that more people can benefit from India’s growing air connectivity.
The investment is expected to support affordable fares through viability gap funding for airlines as well as the development and maintenance of aviation infrastructure. The broader plan includes support for new airports and heliports, helping bring air services closer to communities that have traditionally had limited access to air travel.
The minister said the government is also engaging with states to address infrastructure requirements and improve the overall efficiency of airport operations and management.
The next phase of UDAN comes as India’s aviation sector continues to expand, creating new opportunities for tourism, trade, employment and regional economic development. Better air connectivity can also help smaller cities attract investment and connect more easily with major business and industrial centres.
The government’s long-term investment in UDAN reflects its effort to make flying more accessible to ordinary citizens while building a stronger and more geographically balanced aviation network.
With the next decade of investment now planned, the Centre aims to give regional aviation a stronger foundation and ensure that the benefits of India’s growing air transport sector reach more parts of the country.