UDAN focus on NE

GUWAHATI, Aug 28 : The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved 78 new routes under the fourth round of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) — Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) — to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country, with special focus on the North Eastern States.
According to a Government statement, “NER, Hilly States and Islands have been given priority in the approval process for the new routes.”
Commenting on this development, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation, Usha Padhee, said, “Following the three successful rounds of bidding, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had launched the 4th round of UDAN in December 2019 with a special focus on the North East, hilly States and islands.”
Padhee said, “The awarding of these 78 routes under UDAN 4 is in line with the Act East Policy of the Central Government. The airports that had already been developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are given higher priority for the award of VGF under the scheme.”
The Joint Secretary further said, “Under UDAN 4, the operation of helicopter and seaplanes is also been incorporated. Since its inception, MoCA has operationalised 274 UDAN routes that have connected 45 airports and 3 heliports.”
TNN