8 hrs ago
India Plans 100 New Airports Under Rs 30,000 Crore UDAN Expansion
India wants to build 100 new airports during the next 10 years.
The plan will be carried out through a government program called UDAN.
The aviation minister said the project may cost about Rs 30,000 crore.
A related Cabinet-approved program has an official outlay of Rs 28,840 crore.
India had 74 airports in 2014 and now has 166.
The announcement was made in Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad also started India's third hub-and-spoke airport operation.
This system helps passengers connect from smaller airports to international flights through larger airports.
The minister said building airports is not enough because they must also be connected well within India and to other countries.
India plans to build 100 new airports over the next 10 years under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the expansion will involve approximately Rs 30,000 crore.
The Union Cabinet approved Modified UDAN for FY 2026-27 through FY 2035-36 with a total outlay of Rs 28,840 crore.
Naidu announced the plan in Ahmedabad, where he inaugurated India's third hub-and-spoke operation after Varanasi and Amritsar.
India's airport count has increased from 74 in 2014 to 166, while the government says connectivity remains a key challenge.
- Who
- The Indian government and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.
- What
- A plan to build 100 new airports over the next 10 years under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
- Where
- The announcement and inauguration took place at Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat, India.
- When
- The announcement was made on Tuesday; the Cabinet-approved Modified UDAN period runs from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36.
- Why
- The expansion is intended to meet growing demand for air connections in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, remote areas, Himalayan regions and islands, while improving domestic and international connectivity.
Key facts
- Planned airports
- 100 new airports
- Construction timeline
- Next 10 years
- Estimated investment
- Approximately Rs 30,000 crore
- Modified UDAN outlay
- Rs 28,840 crore, including budgetary support from the Centre
- Approved program period
- FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36
- Airport growth
- From 74 airports in 2014 to 166 currently
- Hub-and-spoke locations
- Ahmedabad became the third location after Varanasi and Amritsar
- Passenger benefit
- For qualifying international connections through Delhi, immigration can be completed at Ahmedabad and luggage can be sent to the final destination
Quotes
K. Rammohan Naidu
India’s Civil Aviation Minister
“And this demand is not limited to major cities -- it comes from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, Himalayan regions, remote areas, and islands like Lakshadweep and Andaman. Everywhere, people are asking when an airport will be constructed in their area. This is the voice of modern India. We are listening to it, formulating policies accordingly, and moving forward.”
NDTV
financialexpress.com
“This 12-year journey was merely the beginning for the Ministry of Civil Aviation. We have expanded upon the revolutionary changes brought to the air travel sector by the 'UDAN' scheme over the past decade. Looking ahead, we plan to spend approximately Rs 30,000 crore over the next 10 years to build 100 new airports.”
NDTV
deccanchronicle.com
financialexpress.com
m.rediff.com
Sources
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