Introduction
Expanding regional air connectivity is crucial for fostering economic growth, boosting tourism, and enhancing socio-economic inclusion in remote and underserved areas. Given India’s vast geographical diversity, regional connectivity bridges gaps, integrates regions, and promotes balanced development.
Need for Expanding Regional Air Connectivity:
- Balanced Regional Development: Connecting remote areas with metro cities reduces regional disparities and promotes economic growth.
E.g.: Northeast India benefits from improved air links with economic hubs like Delhi and Kolkata.
- Boosting Tourism and Trade: Better air connectivity supports the growth of tourism and trade by connecting lesser-known destinations.
E.g.: Increased tourist footfall in places like Darbhanga, Bihar after air connectivity was introduced under UDAN.
- Reducing Travel Time: Air travel reduces travel time significantly, making inter-state travel faster and more efficient.
E.g.: Flights from Guwahati to Pasighat reduced travel time from 12 hours by road to 1 hour.
- Employment Generation: Airports and aviation services create direct and indirect jobs in regions where employment opportunities are limited.
E.g.: UDAN led to the development of new jobs in local airport services.
- National Security and Strategic Importance: Enhancing air links to border and remote areas supports security and strategic interests.
E.g.: Strengthened connectivity in Ladakh and the Northeast supports military and civilian mobility.
About UDAN
- Regional Connectivity: Focuses on connecting underserved and unserved airports, facilitating access to remote areas.
- Affordable Air Travel: Implements fare caps to ensure that tickets remain affordable for passengers. Price Capped at Rupees 2500 per hour
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Provides financial support to airlines to operate on regional routes, ensuring sustainability and affordability.
- Infrastructure Development: Encourages the development of airport infrastructure in smaller cities to enhance overall transport connectivity.
UDAN scheme achievements:
- Affordable Air Travel: The Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, launched in 2016, aims to make air travel affordable and accessible to the common citizen.
E.g.: More than 1 crore passengers have benefited from affordable airfares
- Revival of Underutilized Airports: The scheme focuses on reviving under-served and unserved airports, enhancing regional connectivity.
E.g.: Over 100 airports and heliports have been operationalized under UDAN (MoCA, 2023).
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF): The government provides VGF to airline operators, incentivizing them to connect remote destinations.
E.g.: 425 routes were awarded under UDAN, with government subsidies to maintain viability.
- Boosting Regional Airline Growth: The scheme promotes the growth of smaller regional airlines by providing incentives for new routes.
E.g.: Airlines like Star Air and TruJet have expanded operations through UDAN.
- Enhanced Connectivity for Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities: Cities like Jharsuguda, Kurnool, and Hubballi are now connected to major urban centers, spurring local economic growth.
E.g.: Flights from Jharsuguda to Bhubaneswar have increased regional business prospects.
What more can be done
- Improving Airport Infrastructure: Upgrade and expand infrastructure at regional airports, including runways, terminals, and cargo handling.
E.g.: Many UDAN airports lack basic facilities like night landing systems.
- Strengthening Last-Mile Connectivity: Improve road and rail links to newly operational airports for better access and seamless travel.
E.g.: Many regional airports are not well-connected to nearby cities and towns.
- Private Sector Participation: Encourage public-private partnerships to develop and maintain airport infrastructure, ensuring better management and funding.
E.g.: Private investments could help improve regional airport facilities and services.
Conclusion
The UDAN Scheme has been pivotal in expanding air connectivity across India, making air travel affordable and accessible. Improving infrastructure, ensuring adequate funding, and boosting private sector involvement will be key to realizing the full potential of regional air connectivity.
