Finance Minister Boosts UDAN Scheme: 120 New Cities to Get Air Connectivity

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the inclusion of 120 new cities under the UDAN scheme in her budget speech.
• The UDAN scheme aims to make air travel accessible to small towns and remote areas, expanding regional connectivity.
• The government plans to create capacity to carry approximately 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years through this expansion.
• Infrastructure strengthening, including runway upgrades and terminal facilities, is a key focus for connecting unused and underutilized airstrips.
• Regional connectivity under UDAN is expected to benefit tourism, trade, medical travel, and local industries, creating new employment opportunities.

Why It Matters: UDAN scheme expands to 120 new cities, aiming to transform India's aviation map and boost regional development.