Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik: UDAN-2 to gel NE states with 43 new airports and helipads

New Delhi, January 25: With an aim to connect North East states and all the hill states with air connectivity, Airports Authority of India (AAI) set to connects 43 new airports and helipads. This initiative is being carried out under Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN-2) scheme. 

State-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued "Letter of Awards" for 90 proposals involving around 325 regional connectivity routes which were received under the second round of RCS-Udan. Under the second phase, flight operations are expected to connect destinations like Kargil, Darbhanga, Pakyong (Gangtok) and Cooch Behar.

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi took to Twitter saying that "Udan-II has addressed the problem of (air connectivity in) difficult areas (which are) basically areas with hilly tracks, where road connectivity is low or probably has no train connectivity."

Around 17 applicants had sent their proposals for a total of 502 routes in the second phase of the UDAN scheme. In total, 73 unserved or underserved airports and helipads will be provided services through the second phase.