Massive infra buildup under UDAN: Only 74 airports in 70 years, over 150 now; know future plans

Addressing a public gathering in Hisar, Haryana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the transformative strides made in India’s aviation and connectivity sectors under his government.

Drawing a stark contrast with the pre-2014 era, PM Modi pointed out that the country had just 74 operational airports in nearly 70 years since independence.

“Imagine, just 74 airports in 70 years! Today, that number has more than doubled to over 150 airports,” he said, underscoring the pace of infrastructure development under his administration.

#WATCH | Addressing a public event in Haryana's Hisar, PM Modi says, "Before 2014, there were 74 airports in the country, but today there are over 150 airports...Imagine 74 airports in 70 years?... Every year, there are record airline passengers in the country. The airline… pic.twitter.com/uf0CXsWZLI

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2025

This expansion comes as part of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, launched in 2017, which aims to make air travel affordable and widespread, especially for tier-2 and tier-3 cities. As of 2024, PM Modi confirmed that over 90 airports, heliports, and water aerodromes have been operationalized under UDAN alone.

Big Future Plans & Expected Jobs

PM Modi also emphasized India’s rising aviation demand, stating, “The flight service is going on in over 600 destinations. Every year, there are record airline passengers in the country.”

In 2023-24, India witnessed over 150 million domestic flyers — an all-time high. The surge in demand is reflected in the industry’s aggressive expansion plans, with Indian carriers placing orders for over 2,000 new aircraft. IndiGo and Air India alone account for a majority of these orders, indicating long-term confidence in the sector’s growth.

“This will create more jobs for pilots, air hostesses and ground staff in the aviation field,” the PM stated.

Beyond connectivity, PM Modi linked this progress to broader goals of social welfare and inclusion. “While we are building runways and terminals, we are also ensuring the welfare of the poor and upholding social justice,” he said, citing government schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and free ration initiatives.

With expanding infrastructure and inclusive policies, the government’s push toward a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) aims to blend economic growth with equitable development.