Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the next phase of the Centre's flagship regional connectivity programme, Modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), with an outlay of nearly ₹29,000 crore over the next decade, while inaugurating the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport to strengthen regional aviation infrastructure.
The revamped scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on March 25, 2026, seeks to accelerate aviation-led development and support the government's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by expanding air connectivity to underserved and remote regions.
Launched in October 2016, the UDAN scheme has operationalised 669 routes, connecting 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes, and has benefited more than 1.66 crore passengers, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Under the modified programme, the government plans to develop 100 aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips with an investment of ₹12,159 crore. It has also earmarked ₹2,577 crore for the operation and maintenance of regional airports, ₹3,661 crore for developing 200 modern helipads, and ₹10,043 crore as viability gap funding to sustain regional airline operations.
The scheme also seeks to promote indigenous aircraft and helicopters, including HAL Dhruv and Dornier platforms, in line with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to improve connectivity in remote and difficult terrains.
Speaking on the occasion, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the expanded scheme marked "the beginning of a new chapter in India's aviation journey" and had transformed the Prime Minister's vision of making air travel affordable and accessible into a national movement.
Modi also inaugurated the ₹480-crore New Terminal Building at Jodhpur Airport, developed by the Airports Authority of India. Spread over 23,342 sq m, the terminal has the capacity to handle 1,500 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually.
The facility features 20 check-in counters, six aerobridges, advanced baggage handling and security systems, and an expanded apron capable of accommodating 11 A321 aircraft and one ATR-72 aircraft. The city-side infrastructure includes parking for around 320 cars.
The new terminal replaces the existing facility, which had an annual capacity of about 4 lakh passengers and had reached saturation owing to sustained traffic growth. Designed with Rajasthani architectural elements such as arches and jharokhas, the terminal also incorporates energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures and green building practices aimed at securing a 5-Star GRIHA rating.
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