Nine Airports In Maharashtra Get Budget Of Rs 561 Cr Under UDAN Scheme

The Ministry of Civil Aviation initiated the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - Udan in October 2016 to boost regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable for the masses. The Udan scheme aims to establish connectivity to unserved and underserved airports across the country through the revitalisation of existing airstrips and airports. 

The nine airports earmarked for revitalisation and operation under the Udan scheme are Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Solapur, Amravati, Nanded, Nasik, Ratnagiri, Gondia and Sindhudurg. The total budget of Rs 561.20 crore has been approved for the development of these airports in the State. Kolhapur, renowned for its foundry, leather shoes, sugar trade and jaggery, has received the highest budget allocation of Rs 305.93 crore during this period, of which Rs 296.59 crore (97 per cent) has been utilised. 

Amravati in the Vidarbha region has received the second-highest allocation of Rs 100 crore and has utilised Rs 66 crore to date. 

Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, known for their scenic beauty and Hapus mango variety, have not received any budget to date. Nanded, in the Marathwada region, has received the lowest budget allocation of Rs 0.20 crore, which has been fully utilised. Solapur, renowned for its blankets, has received Rs 80 crore but has utilised just Rs 15 crore so far. 

Demand by Industries 

Industrial bodies in the State have been urging the government to strengthen the airline network to benefit industries from improved connectivity. Elected representatives from these districts have also been requesting that the union government intervene and hold talks with airlines to operate their services in these cities. 

Experts suggest that the Udan scheme has made significant strides in enhancing regional air connectivity in Maharashtra, with a substantial portion of the allocated budget already utilised. However, challenges persist in ensuring the equitable distribution of funds among all identified airports and also in ensuring the utilisation of the allocated budget.