The 'UDAN' scheme was launched in October 2016 with the aim of connecting small cities of the country with the air network and making air travel accessible and affordable for the common people.

Cabinet approval for UDAN 2.0

UDAN 2.0: The central government has taken a major decision to strengthen regional air connectivity in the country. ₹28,840 crore has been approved for the "UDAN 2.0" (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme. This plan will develop new airport infrastructure, provide financial assistance to airlines, and support the operation of smaller aerodromes.

Cabinet approval for UDAN 2.0

Following the cabinet's approval, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced that 100 new airports will be developed under this scheme. These airports will be developed by redeveloping existing unused airstrips. Each airport will cost approximately ₹100 crore. A total of ₹12,159 crore will be spent on the development of these airports over the next eight years.

Additionally, the plan aims to develop 200 modern helipads, with an expenditure of ₹3,661 crore over the next eight years. Airlines will also receive ₹10,043 crore in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) over 10 years to make their projects viable.

The scheme was launched in 2016

It is worth noting that the "UDAN" plan, launched in October 2016, aims to connect smaller cities to the country's air network and make air travel accessible and affordable for the general public. The government states that the primary objective of the "UDAN 2.0" plan is to strengthen regional air connectivity, increase access to inaccessible and remote areas, and promote balanced economic development by connecting smaller cities to the air network.

A provision of ₹3,661 crore has been made for the construction of helipads. Furthermore, an additional ₹400 crore has been allocated in the budget to strengthen the production capacity of the aviation sector domestically under the "UDAN 2.0" scheme.