PM Launches ‘Viksit UDAN’ with ₹29000-Crore Outlay, Inaugurates New Jodhpur Airport Terminal
The Modified UDAN Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on March 25 this year, aims to deepen regional connectivity while supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The Prime Minister unveiled the two flagship initiatives in Jodhpur in the presence of Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and other dignitaries.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the next phase of the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Viksit UDAN – with a massive outlay of nearly ₹29,000 crore over the next 10 years, while also inaugurating the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, signalling a major push towards expanding regional air connectivity and strengthening India’s aviation infrastructure.
The Prime Minister unveiled the two flagship initiatives in Jodhpur in the presence of Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and other dignitaries.
The Modified UDAN Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on March 25 this year, aims to deepen regional connectivity while supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. With an overall investment of approximately ₹29,000 crore, the scheme seeks to develop 100 new aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips, construct 200 modern helipads, provide operations and maintenance support to regional airports, and continue viability gap funding for regional airline operations.
The revamped programme allocates ₹12,159 crore for aerodrome development, ₹3,661 crore for helipad construction, ₹2,577 crore towards operations and maintenance support for regional airports, and ₹10,043 crore as viability gap funding to sustain regional air services. It also promotes the deployment of indigenous aircraft and helicopters, including HAL Dhruv and Dornier platforms, in remote and underserved regions.
Launched in October 2016, the UDAN scheme has significantly expanded India’s regional aviation network by operationalising 669 routes and connecting 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes, benefiting more than 1.66 crore passengers.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the next phase of UDAN marked the beginning of a new chapter in India’s aviation journey.
He said the scheme had transformed the Prime Minister’s vision of “Hawai Chappal se Hawai Jahaz” into a nationwide movement by making air travel affordable and accessible, while creating new opportunities for tourism, trade, employment and economic development across Tier-2, Tier-3 and remote regions.
New Terminal at Jodhpur Airport
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, developed by the Airports Authority of India at a cost of ₹480 crore.
Spread across 23,342 square metres, the terminal has the capacity to handle 1,500 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually. It is equipped with 20 check-in counters, six aerobridges, modern baggage handling systems and advanced security screening facilities.
The expanded apron can accommodate 11 Airbus A321 aircraft and one ATR-72 aircraft, while the city-side infrastructure includes parking space for around 320 cars.
Designed with inspiration from Rajasthan’s royal architectural heritage, the terminal incorporates traditional features such as arches and jharokhas alongside modern passenger amenities. The building also integrates sustainable features, including energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures and green building practices aimed at securing a 5-Star GRIHA rating.
The new terminal replaces the existing facility, which had an annual handling capacity of around 4 lakh passengers and had reached saturation due to increasing passenger traffic.
Calling the terminal a blend of world-class infrastructure and India’s cultural identity, Ram Mohan Naidu said it would provide visitors with their first glimpse of Rajasthan’s heritage while strengthening connectivity for Jodhpur and western Rajasthan.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the extension of the UDAN scheme for another decade and the commissioning of the new terminal together would further democratise aviation by integrating more regions into India’s growth story.
The government said the launch of Viksit UDAN and the inauguration of the new terminal represent another significant milestone in India’s aviation sector, aimed at creating an integrated, accessible and future-ready aviation ecosystem that promotes tourism, trade, investment and inclusive socio-economic development across the country.
