Bengaluru: Under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has identified five locations in Karnataka to construct new airstrips (mini airports). Responding to a question by former Chief Minister and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muraleedharan Mohol confirmed that Ballari, Kolar, Kushalnagar, Raichur and Hassan have been selected for this initiative.
An official from the Airports Authority of India stated that the tender process for these airstrips is underway at different stages. The UDAN-Regional Connectivity Scheme follows a market-based approach, with regular bidding rounds based on airline operators’ feasibility assessments for flight routes, connectivity, and specific flight paths. The expansion and enhancement of aviation services will depend on competitive bids and the selection of airline operators.
