New Delhi, September 22: The Centre on Tuesday launched Challenge Mode for aerodrome development under the next phase of the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, allowing states and Union Territories to nominate airstrips and helipads for development or upgradation.
The launch coincided with the signing of 21 MoUs between the Ministry of Civil Aviation, participating states and UTs, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for coordinated development and operationalisation of aviation assets.
Under the Challenge Mode framework, states and UT administrations can nominate locations with potential for aviation connectivity through a dedicated portal. The framework is intended to identify and develop airstrips and helipads based on local requirements.
The Ministry also launched the Challenge Mode Portal for Aerodrome Development and released the scheme document for the next round of UDAN route bidding. Airlines will bid for identified routes, with operators and routes to be selected through a competitive process.
The Ministry said the next phase of UDAN will focus on expanding connectivity to unserved and underserved regions, while supporting accessibility, mobility, tourism, trade and employment.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said Modified UDAN rests on four pillars: “affordability for passengers, sustainability of operations, transparent Challenge Mode framework for projects and the promotion of indigenous manufacturing.”
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the next phase is aimed at adding 120 new destinations and four crore passengers over the next 10 years.
The Modified UDAN scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet in March, has an outlay of ₹28,840 crore for 10 years. It envisages developing 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips and 200 modern helipads, besides providing operational support for aerodromes.
According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, UDAN has so far operationalised 687 routes and 95 aerodromes, with more than 3.66 lakh flights carrying around 1.71 crore passengers.
The 21 MoUs provide a framework for the Centre, states and AAI to identify, develop and operationalise aviation assets in line with state priorities as the next phase moves towards implementation.
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