9 years of UDAN: PM Modi’s flagship scheme transformed Indian skies; here's how it changed Odisha

Nearly a decade after the launch of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme on 21st October 2016, India’s regional aviation landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation.

The initiative, aimed at making air travel affordable and enhancing connectivity to underserved and remote regions, has connected smaller towns, stimulated local economies, and brought air travel within reach of millions.

“UDAN turned flying from a distant dream into a part of everyday life, connecting small towns, creating jobs, and making air travel affordable for millions. The journey from “I wish I could fly” to “I can” continues to empower India,” wrote BJP VP and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda in a post on X.

UDAN turned flying from a distant dream into a part of everyday life, connecting small towns, creating jobs, and making air travel affordable for millions. The journey from “I wish I could fly” to “I can” continues to empower India.#9YearsOfUDAN#TransformingIndiapic.twitter.com/urOPBTC2ot

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) October 21, 2025

The History of UDAN

While it was conceptualised in 2016, the first UDAN flight took off from Shimla to Delhi on April 27, 2017, marking the beginning of a new era in India’s civil aviation sector.

Since its inception, UDAN has operationalised 625 routes linking 90 airports across India, including water aerodromes and heliports, benefiting over 1.49 crore passengers, as per the reports of the Press Information Bureau of India.

India’s airport network has more than doubled in the last decade, expanding from 74 airports in 2014 to 159 in 2024. With Rs 4,023.37 crore allocated as Viability Gap Funding (VGF), the scheme has prioritised connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, promoting regional tourism, healthcare access, trade, and employment opportunities.

UDAN’s Impact in Odisha

Odisha has been an active participant in the UDAN programme, steadily expanding its regional aviation infrastructure.

Alongside the primary and sole international airport of the state, Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) in Bhubaneswar, UDAN has given wings to multiple regional airports.

Veer Surendra Sai Airport (VSS) in Jharsuguda, Rourkela Airport (RRK), Jeypore Airport (PYB) in Koraput, and Utkela Airport (UKE) in Kalahandi have significantly improved connectivity for smaller towns, supporting local economic growth and tourism.

ALSO READ: Operational airports in Odisha: Flights, schedules, and a one-stop guide on inter-state connectivity

Further, a new greenfield international airport in Puri is in a fast-track mode and is set to become the second international airport of Odisha.

Meanwhile, the integration of UDAN routes into the state’s aviation infrastructure has not only reduced travel time and costs but also created employment opportunities and strengthened Odisha’s position in India’s regional air travel ecosystem.