Revised UDAN Scheme Allocates ₹29,000 Cr for Airfield Expansion

The Union Cabinet gave its nod to an expanded version of the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) programme on 25 March 2026, approving a budget of approximately ₹29,000 crore to be spent over the next ten years.

Key elements of the revised plan include the development of 100 new airfields on under‑utilised runways, a venture that will draw ₹12,159 crore. An additional ₹2,577 crore is earmarked for the operation and upkeep of regional airports, while ₹3,661 crore will fund the creation of 200 state‑of‑the‑art heliports across the country.

To ensure that fledgling regional carriers remain financially viable, the government will provide a viability‑gap fund of ₹10,043 crore. This financial backing is intended to bridge the cost differential between operating small‑scale routes and larger commercial services.

The revised framework also emphasises the deployment of domestically manufactured aircraft, such as HAL’s Dhruv helicopters and Dornier light‑transport planes, particularly for remote and low‑traffic zones. This approach reinforces the Make‑in‑India policy while extending essential connectivity to hill, desert and island communities.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu hailed the project as a historic investment that will usher in a new chapter for India’s civil aviation sector, aligning with the “Viksit India 2047” vision and expanding opportunities for farmers, students, entrepreneurs and artisans across the nation.