The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has invited bids for 3 unserved airports/airstrips in Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Campbell Bay, Car Nicobar and Shibpur) and 1 underserved airport/airstrip (Agatti – Lakshadweep Island) under UDAN 4.0 scheme. The scheme focuses on providing various concessions to selected airline operators to operate routes under the RCS-Udan scheme from Centre and state governments. Under the Udan 4.0 scheme, MoCA is also providing additional Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of around 25% to the airlines.
The aviation ministry has also recognised four water aerodrome locations in Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Hutbay and Long Island) and two in Lakshadweep islands that are up for bidding. The government has also invited bids for water aerodromes under the Udan 4.0 scheme Minicoy and Kavaratti of Lakshadweep and Havelock and Neil islands for Andaman and Nicobar which has a great potential for promotion of tourism.
The efforts are in the direction to provide aerial connectivity to the region of both islands. The move will not only boost tourism but will also transform the economic situation of the regions. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is aiming to promote the Cochin-Agatti-Cochin further and intends for more airlines to operate this route. Accordingly, an exception to the scheme, the Cochin-Agatti route has been incorporated under the current version of the scheme, to provide additional connectivity to the island region.
