As of 31 May 2021, only 47% of total routes and 39% of airports (unserved and underserved) have been operationalisedunder UDAN, according to ICRA. What is the full form of UDAN?

Correct option is B

​Correct Answer is (b) Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik

UDAN stands for "Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik", which translates to "Let the Common Citizen of the Country Fly". It is a regional connectivity scheme (RCS) launched in 2016 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The scheme aims to make air travel affordable and improve air connectivity to unserved and underserved airports in small towns and remote areas of India. The initiative is part of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, with a vision to boost economic growth through enhanced regional air connectivity.

• Launched:2016, under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP).
• Objectives:
  • Improve regional air connectivity by developing smaller airports.
  • Make flying affordable for the common citizen.
  • Enhance tourism and economic growth in remote areas.
• Subsidized Airfare:
  • Airfares on regional routes are capped at ₹2,500 per hour of flight for making air travel affordable.
  • The scheme is financially supported through the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) model.
• Implementation:
  • Managed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
  • Focuses on reviving existing airstrips and developing new airports.
• Performance as of May 2021:
  • Only 47% of total sanctioned routes operationalized.
  • 39% of unserved/underserved airports made functional.
  • Despite challenges, UDAN has significantly improved regional air travel in India.

Additional Information:

• UDAN 4.0 (Latest Phase) – Focused on Northeastern regions, hilly states, and tribal areas.
• Key Airports Revived – Airports like Darbhanga (Bihar), Pakyong (Sikkim), and Hubballi (Karnataka) were operationalized under UDAN.
• International Expansion – UDAN International was introduced to improve air connectivity with neighboring countries.
• Future Goals – The government aims to expand UDAN coverage and ensure 100% route operationalization.

The UDAN scheme has transformed air travel in India by making it accessible to smaller cities and towns, thereby boosting economic development and tourism