UDAN Scheme- Performance Over Last Five Years

UDAN Scheme- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges
  • Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

UDAN Scheme in News

• Recently, Ministry of Civil Aviation’s flagship program Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (UdeDeshkaAamNagrik) has completed 5 years of success since the launch of it first flight by Prime Minister on 27th April 2017.

UDAN Scheme Performance

• In the last five years, UDAN has significantly increased the regional air-connectivity in the country.
• Increased Airports: There were 74 operational airports in 2014. Because of the UDAN scheme this number has increased to 141 by now.
• Enhanced Connectivity: 68 underserved/unserved destinations which include 58 Airports, 8 Heliports & 2 Water Aerodromes have been connected under UDAN scheme.
  • With 425 new routes initiated under the scheme, UDAN has provided air connectivity to more than 29 States/ UTs across the length and breadth of the country.
• Beneficiaries: More than one crore passengers have availed the benefits of Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (UdeDeshkaAamNagrik) scheme as on 4th August 2022.
• Benefits to Stakeholders: UDAN Scheme has benefitted a diverse set of stakeholders.
  • Passengers have got the benefits of air connectivity,
  • Airlines have received concessions for operating regional routes,
  • Unserved regions have received the direct and indirect benefits of air connectivity for their economic development.
• Recognition: RCS-UDAN was awarded Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration under Innovation Category for the year 2020.
  • Republic Day Tableau for 26th January 2022 on UDAN was adjudged as the Best Tableau by the Ministry of Defence.

UDAN Scheme: Future Targets

• 220 destinations (airports/heliports/water aerodromes) under UDAN are targeted to be completed by 2026 with 1000 routes to provide air connectivity to unconnected destinations in the country.
  • Under UDAN, 954 routes have already been awarded to connect 156 airports.
• By 2026, RCS-UDAN scheme is expected to help 40 crore Indians to travel through Civil Aviation in India.

UDAN scheme: Key points

About UDAN

• UDAN scheme full form: Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik is a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) to ensure affordability, connectivity, growth and development.
• It provides a win-win situation for all stakeholders – citizens would get the benefit of affordability, connectivity and more jobs.
• The scheme was launched in 2016, and would be in operation for a period of 10 years.

The Global Tax Revolution

UDAN scheme benefits

• Central Government would provide concessions in the form of reduced excise duty, service tax, and flexibility of code sharing at the RCS (UDAN) airports.
• State governments will have to lower the GST on ATF to 1% or less, besides providing security and fire services free of cost and electricity, water and other utilities at substantially concessional rates.
• A Regional Connectivity Fund would be created to meet the viability gap funding requirements under the scheme. The RCF levy per departure will be applied to certain domestic flights.
• The partner State Governments (other than North Eastern States and Union Territories where contribution will be 10 %) would contribute a 20% share to this fund.

 UDAN Scheme- Various Formulations

• Krishi UDAN: launched for enhancing value realization of agriculture products especially in North-eastern Region {NER} and tribal districts.
• International UDAN routes for NER to explore International Connectivity from / to Guwahati and Imphal.
• Lifeline UDAN: Lifeline UDAN initiative commenced in March 2020 during COVID-19 period.
  • It helped to operate 588 flights transporting almost 1000 Tonnes of voluminous cargo and essential medical services to various parts of the country.

Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration: UDAN Scheme Selected for the Award

Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration: UDAN Scheme Selected for the Award

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