Question : Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN

(a) whether the Government has implemented UDAN scheme to boost regional air connectivity in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and routes identified/run so far and revenue earned from each route so far;

(c) whether the Government proposes to widen the scope of its UDAN scheme for regional connectivity by making more flight operations eligible for a host of concessions, including viability gap funding and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has invited stakeholders comments in this regard, if so, the details thereof and response received so far;

(e) whether the Government may also operate flights between airports less than 150 kilometres of distance from each other, for instance Bengaluru-Mysuru route and Vijayawada-Rajahmundry route to be eligible to fall under the UDAN scheme, if so, the details thereof and decision taken in this regard so far;

(f) the details of regional/small airports developed under the scheme and the funds allocated, released and spent under the scheme so far; and

(g) the present status of Kothagudem airport in Telangana?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a): Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme on 21-10-2016 for providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country. The primary objective of RCS is to facilitate/ stimulate regional air connectivity by making it affordable by providing Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and other concessions to the selected airline operators under RCS. Airports Authority of India(AAI), the implementing agency of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) -UDAN after first round of bidding has awarded 27 numbers of proposals involving 31 unserved and 12 under-served airports

(b): The details of operations commenced after First Round of bidding is enclosed at Annexure-I.
;

(c) to (e): Airports Authority of India(AAI), the implementing agency of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) -UDAN after first round of bidding has awarded 27 numbers of proposals involving 31 unserved, 12 under-served airports. The list is enclosed at Annexure-II.
;
Stakeholder Consultations, review of the scheme, are continuous process under Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN.

(f): The Government has approved the proposal for revival of 50 un-served/ under-served airports/airstrips of the State Governments, Airports Authority of India and Civil enclaves at an estimate cost of Rs. 4500 crores. However, the revival of airstrips/airports is ''demand driven'', depending upon firm commitment from airline operators as well as from the State Government for providing various concessions.;

(g): Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation granted ''site clearance'' to M/s. Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSIIDC) for setting up of a Greenfield Airport at Kothagudem, District Khammam, Telangana vide certificate dated 07.10.2016.