Rajasthan: Civil Aviation Ministry to connect 120 new destinations under UDAN scheme

Jaipur, July 20 (IANS) Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore said on Monday that the Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working at a rapid pace to strengthen regional air connectivity and ensure that the benefits of development reach every corner of the country.

Rathore said the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the revised UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme on July 4, 2026, under which 120 new unserved and underserved destinations will be connected to the country’s aviation network over the next 10 years.

The initiative is expected to benefit nearly 40 million (4 crore) passengers. He said this information was provided in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in response to a question raised by him.

Rathore noted that 204 new Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) routes have been launched across the country under the UDAN scheme during the past three years, of which 150 routes are currently operational.

The remaining routes were temporarily suspended due to technical and operational reasons, and the Central Government is making sustained efforts to revive and operationalise them.

Highlighting the benefits for Rajasthan, Rathore said the recently inaugurated new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport is equipped with modern passenger amenities. Built on a 23,000-square-metre site, the terminal can handle 2,000 passengers during peak hours and 2 million passengers annually.

The newly developed apron can accommodate 11 Airbus A321 aircraft and one ATR-72 aircraft simultaneously. He said the upgraded airport infrastructure will provide world-class facilities to passengers while giving a significant boost to tourism, trade, and investment in Rajasthan.

Rathore further said the Central Government is not only expanding regional air connectivity through new routes but is also working in coordination with state governments, implementing agencies, and airlines to revive routes that had become non-operational.

These efforts, he said, will improve connectivity in remote and aspirational regions and promote balanced regional development.

Describing the expansion of air connectivity as an important step towards the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) under PM Modi’s leadership, Rathore said the initiative would generate new opportunities in tourism, employment, trade, and investment, while providing fresh momentum to economic growth across the country, including Rajasthan.

--IANS

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