As the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN, launched in 2016, approaches its 8th anniversary, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Asangba Chuba Ao, on Sunday highlighted its impressive progress. He noted that the scheme has benefited approximately 1.44 crore people, with 601 operational routes to date.
To mark the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for new airports in Varanasi. The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched on October 21, 2016, aims to make air travel affordable and accessible for the common citizen.
“If you look at the journey of UDAN, as of now, about 1.44 crore people have already flown under the RCS which is a huge number by any measure. 601 routes have been operated under the scheme so far,” the Joint Secretary said.
“The UDAN scheme is going to celebrate its 8th anniversary tomorrow, October 21. UDAN scheme was launched in 2016…We celebrate 8 years of UDAN scheme in service of the nation,” he added.
PM laid foundation stones of new airports under UDAN scheme
Chuba Ao further emphasized that Prime Minister Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several airports in Varanasi, including Saharanpur, Rewa, and Ambikapur, as part of the UDAN scheme.
“Even the other schemes for which the foundation stones are being laid – Agra, Darbhanga, Bagdogra and Varanasi; Agra and Darbhanga airports started the operations with UDAN flights,” he said.
During his one-day visit to his home constituency of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated development projects totaling Rs 6,100 crore. These projects include several airport infrastructure initiatives as well as various development efforts within Varanasi.
(With PTI inputs)