After four successful rounds of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) and with version 5.0 of the fifth round, Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched UDAN 5.1 to enhance connectivity in remote areas of the country. country and to get last mile connectivity through helicopters, said an official statement on Wednesday. For the first time under RCS-UDAN, this round has been specially designed for helicopter routes. Key features include an increase in the scope of operations for operators, wherein the scheme will now allow routes where one of the origin or destination points is in a priority sector.
Earlier both the points were to be in priority areas, further read the official statement. The airfare ceiling has been reduced by 25% to make flying in helicopters more affordable for passengers. The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) cap for operators has been substantially increased for both single and twin-engine helicopters to enhance the financial viability for operating the awarded routes.
“The latest round of UDAN scheme is a testament to two emerging developments in Indian civil aviation – one, the deep democratization of air travel with a focus on last-mile connectivity. Second, the growing appetite for helicopters to aid tourism. Such efforts will help boost tourism, hospitality, and thus, our local economies. UDAN 5.1 heralds a new dawn not only for civil aviation, but also for remote and underserved areas of India Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said.
The present version of the scheme has been prepared after consultation with all stakeholders including helicopter operators. While the intended goal is to provide last-mile connectivity, it is also anticipated to give a much-needed boost to the helicopter segment of the Indian civil aviation industry.
It may be mentioned that 46 helicopter routes have been operationalized so far under the previous round of the scheme, benefitting many hilly and North East states and this round is targeting coverage of a much larger number of routes , mentioned in the official statement.
Under the UDAN scheme, passengers have got the benefit of air connectivity, airlines have got concessions to operate regional routes and unserved areas have got direct and indirect benefit of air connectivity for their economic development. The current version of the scheme will be another step towards the Prime Minister’s vision of allowing the common man to travel by air at affordable fares to far-flung destinations in the country. (ANI)