(a) the details of the number of cities in the country connected/being connected with air routes for the public;
(b) whether the Government has any proposal under consideration for starting air connectivity at Sasaram (Rohtas) in Bihar; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))
(a) to (c): 109 cities of the country are connected by scheduled domestic airline operators as per state wise connectivity of Winter Schedule-2021.Further, Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on 21-10-2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country for making air travel affordable to the masses. Under RCS - UDAN, 948 valid routes have been awarded. Out of which, 395 Routes connecting 63 unserved and underserved airports including 6 Heliports & 2 water aerodromes have been operationalized. ;
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RCS - UDAN is a market driven scheme. Interested airlines based on their assessment of demand on particular routes submit their proposals at the time of bidding under RCS - UDAN. Sasaram, Bihar is not available in the list of unserved Airports under RCS - UDAN. An airport which is included in the awarded routes of UDAN and requires upgradation / development for commencement of RCS operations, is developed under "Revival of unserved and underserved airports" scheme.