New Delhi, 22 September (H.S.): Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday launched the Challenge Mode Portal for aerodrome development and signed 21 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with States and Union Territories under the next phase of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.

The MoUs were signed between the Ministry of Civil Aviation, participating States and Union Territories and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which is the implementing agency for the UDAN scheme. The framework is aimed at coordinated development and operationalisation of aviation infrastructure and expansion of air connectivity to unserved and underserved regions.

At an event in New Delhi, Naidu said the next phase of UDAN would strengthen Centre-State and Union Territory cooperation in developing regional aviation infrastructure.

He said the scheme had so far operationalised 687 routes and 95 aerodromes, with more than 3.66 lakh flights carrying around 1.71 crore passengers.

The Minister said the modified UDAN framework would focus on four pillars - passenger affordability, sustainability of operations, a transparent Challenge Mode framework for projects and promotion of indigenous manufacturing.

Under the Challenge Mode, State governments and Union Territory administrations will be able to nominate airstrips and helipads for development through a dedicated portal. The initiative will allow States and UTs to identify locations with potential for aviation connectivity and facilitate development or upgradation of infrastructure based on local requirements.

The Ministry also released the scheme document for the next phase of UDAN route bidding. Airlines will be invited to bid for identified routes, with the process aimed at transparent and competitive selection of routes and operators.

The next phase is expected to expand air services to unserved and underserved regions and support accessibility, tourism, trade, employment and wider economic activity.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the modified UDAN would target 120 new destinations and an additional four crore passengers over the next 10 years.

The event also included a technical session on the Challenge Mode for aerodrome development and the upcoming UDAN route bidding process, involving States and UTs, AAI, airlines and other stakeholders.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar