NE AVIATION BUREAU
JODHPUR/NEW DELHI, JULY 5
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the next phase of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme—’Viksit UDAN’ and inaugurated the ₹480-crore New Terminal Building at Jodhpur Airport, unveiling an ambitious roadmap that seeks to redefine India’s regional aviation landscape through enhanced connectivity, modern airport infrastructure and inclusive economic growth.
- Prime Minister launches ‘Viksit UDAN’, extending India’s regional aviation revolution for another decade with a record investment
- New ₹480-crore Jodhpur Airport terminal inaugurated as Rajasthan’s gateway to tourism, trade and economic growth gets a world-class aviation hub
- Modified UDAN to develop 100 aerodromes, 200 helipads and expand affordable air connectivity while promoting indigenous aircraft under Atmanirbhar Bharat
- Government says aviation is becoming a powerful engine of inclusive development, employment and last-mile connectivity across India
The twin initiatives signal the government’s renewed push to make air travel more accessible while strengthening the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with a record ₹29,000-crore investment earmarked over the next decade under the Modified UDAN Scheme.
The event was attended by Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Governor of Rajasthan; Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister of Rajasthan; Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation; Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism; Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, and other dignitaries.
Since its launch in 2016, the UDAN initiative has transformed India’s regional aviation ecosystem by operationalising 669 routes, connecting 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes, and enabling affordable air travel for over 1.66 crore passengers.
Building upon this success, the Union Cabinet approved the Modified UDAN Scheme on March 25, 2026, providing a financial outlay of nearly ₹29,000 crore to accelerate aviation-led development over the next ten years.
The expanded programme envisages the development of 100 aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips with an investment of ₹12,159 crore, 200 modern helipads at a cost of ₹3,661 crore, operational support of ₹2,577 crore for regional airports and ₹10,043 crore as Viability Gap Funding to sustain regional airline operations.
The scheme also reinforces Atmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging the deployment of indigenous aircraft and helicopters, including HAL Dhruv and Dornier platforms, to improve connectivity in remote and underserved regions.
Highlighting the transformative impact of the initiative, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, “The launch of the Modified UDAN Scheme with a historic outlay of nearly ₹29,000 crore under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks the beginning of a new chapter in India’s aviation journey. Since 2016, UDAN has transformed the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Hawai Chappal se Hawai Jahaz’ into a national movement by making air travel affordable, accessible and aspirational for every Indian.”
He added, “Today, UDAN is not merely a connectivity scheme—it is a celebration of India’s aspirations, empowering farmers, students, entrepreneurs, artisans and businesses with new opportunities for growth. From Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to the remotest regions, aviation has become a powerful engine of economic development, tourism, employment and social inclusion. As we move towards Viksit Bharat 2047, the next phase of UDAN will further strengthen last-mile connectivity and ensure that the vision of ‘Sabki Udaan, Sabka Vikas’ becomes a reality across every corner of the country.”
The Prime Minister also dedicated the New Terminal Building at Jodhpur Airport, a landmark infrastructure project developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at a cost of ₹480 crore, significantly enhancing Rajasthan’s aviation capacity.
Spread across 23,342 square metres, the new terminal has been designed to handle 1,500 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually.
The facility houses 20 check-in counters, advanced baggage handling systems, state-of-the-art security screening equipment and six aerobridges, while the expanded apron can accommodate 11 Airbus A321 aircraft and one ATR-72 aircraft. The upgraded city-side infrastructure also includes parking for nearly 320 cars.
Architecturally inspired by the royal heritage of Marwar, the terminal blends traditional Rajasthani arches, jharokhas and cultural motifs with contemporary airport design while incorporating energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures and green building practices targeted towards a 5-Star GRIHA rating.
Speaking on the inauguration, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, “I congratulate the people of Jodhpur and the entire western Rajasthan region on this magnificent new terminal, which beautifully reflects the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Marwar. From its royal Rajasthani facade to interiors inspired by the region’s vibrant traditions, the terminal will offer every passenger, especially visitors from across the world, their very first experience of Rajasthan’s warmth and the spirit of ‘Padharo Mhare Desh.’ Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are building airports that seamlessly combine world-class infrastructure with India’s cultural identity. Every such new terminal, every new route brings us one step closer to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Murlidhar Mohol said, “I congratulate the people of Rajasthan on the inauguration of the magnificent new terminal at Jodhpur Airport. The terminal beautifully showcases the rich cultural heritage of Marwar and will offer visitors a memorable first glimpse of Rajasthan’s heritage. Also, the landmark extension of UDAN for another decade by the Prime Minister also took place from Jodhpur. The Modified UDAN Scheme will further democratize aviation in the country by integrating every region into India’s growth story.”
With the simultaneous rollout of Viksit UDAN and the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Jodhpur Airport terminal, the government has reinforced its strategy of building an integrated, future-ready aviation ecosystem that expands regional connectivity, boosts tourism and trade, strengthens local economies and makes air travel an integral part of India’s inclusive development journey.
