8 years of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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8 years of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik)

Posted 21 Oct 2024

Updated 22 Oct 2024

2 min read

PM inaugurated Saharanpur, Rewa and Ambikapur airports in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh respectively, as part of the celebrations under RCS-UDAN.

Key Features of the Scheme

  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation
  • Genesis: Launched in 2016, a vital component of National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016. 
    • The first RCS-UDAN flight was inaugurated in 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi.
  • Type: Central Sector Scheme
  • Purpose:  To improve infrastructure and connectivity in India, especially in remote and underserved regions, making air travel affordable for the masses.
  • Benefits 
    • Subsidised seats for passengers: Travel fee is capped (initially it was capped to Rs.2500- per passenger)
    • Support to Airlines:  Government compensates in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to airlines for losses due to low fares. 
  • Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF): It facilitates the self-financing mechanism of the scheme by funding the VGF through a levy on certain domestic flights.
  • Market-driven model: Airlines assess demand on specific routes and submit proposals during bidding rounds.
  • Recent changes: Currently 5th phase of the scheme is ongoing. The distance gap of 600 km and Airfare Caps is reduced VGF is enhanced 
  •  Implementing Agency: Airports Authority of India (AAI)

Key achievements of the scheme

  • Demand for new aircraft of all sizes: Scheme has generated an escalating demand for new aircraft.
  • Promoting tourism: UDAN 3.0 introduced tourism routes. Scheme has successfully connected destinations such as Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), Deoghar ( Jharkhand,), Amritsar (Punjab), and Agatti Island (Lakshadweep). 
  • Boosting air connectivity: From Mundra (Gujarat) to Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh to Salem in Tamil Nadu, RCS-UDAN has connected 34 States/UTs across the country
    • A total of 86 aerodromes have been operationalized under UDAN. 

 

  • Tags :
  • Regional Connectivity
  • RCS-UDAN
  • Air travel
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