UDAN Scheme: Narendra Modi to launch first Shimla-Delhi flight today, more regional sectors to be connected

New Delhi, April 27: To make air travel accessible to citizens in regionally important areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday will flag off the first UDAN flight under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, on Shimla-Delhi sector. During the occasion, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to flag off the inaugural UDAN flights on Kadapa–Hyderabad and Nanded-Hyderabad sectors. Both the launches will take place from Shimla. At the Jubbarhatti airport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off three flights on the Shimla-Delhi sector, the Kadapa-Hyderabad and the Nanded-Hyderabad sectors.

Narendra Modi’s visit to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh will be his first one after taking charge as the Prime Minister. He had visited the capital of Himachal Pradesh last in 2003 when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. Under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, nearly 50 percent of the seats on every flight will cost Rs 2,500 per seat. The aviation ministry will fund the subsidy by charging a landing fee on airlines operating on the trunk routes. This offer will be applicable for flights where the distance is less than 500 km and duration is one hour.