New Delhi, September 23 (APAC Media): The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) have signed 21 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with States and Union Territories for the next phase of the UDAN scheme.
The agreements aim to coordinate the identification, development and operationalisation of aviation infrastructure based on regional connectivity requirements. The MoUs were signed on September 22 in the presence of Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu.
Challenge Mode Portal Launched
During the event, the Civil Aviation Minister launched the Challenge Mode Portal for Aerodrome Development. Under the new mechanism, State Governments and UT administrations can nominate airstrips and helipads for development under the next phase of UDAN.
The portal is intended to help states identify locations with potential for improved air connectivity and support the development or upgrading of aviation infrastructure according to local requirements.
Expanding UDAN Route and Air Services
The Ministry also released the scheme document for the next UDAN route bidding round. Airlines will be invited to bid for identified routes, allowing the selection of routes and operators through a competitive process.
The initiative is aimed at expanding air services to unserved and underserved regions and improving access and mobility. The government expects better regional connectivity to support economic activity, tourism, trade and employment.
The event was attended by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar and senior officials from the Ministry, AAI and participating States and UTs.
The next phase builds on the UDAN scheme’s regional connectivity framework, with a focus on expanding aviation infrastructure and bringing more areas into the air connectivity network.
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