Schemes & Policies

West Bengal to Sign Agreement with Centre for UDAN Airport in Purulia

21 September 2026UPSCSSCBankRailway

In Brief

Finalizes MoU on September 28 to construct a regional airport under UDAN scheme, boosting tier-3 connectivity.

The West Bengal government announced it will sign a formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Central Government on September 28 to construct a new regional airport in Purulia district under the flagship UDAN scheme.

Launched in October 2016 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) is a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) created to make air travel affordable while upgrading unserved and underserved airstrips across tier-2 and tier-3 towns.

The scheme relies on Viability Gap Funding (VGF) shared between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and state governments, along with concessions on landing charges and fuel taxes. The Purulia project aims to spur industrial investments, mineral transport, and tourism in western West Bengal.

Expanding regional air infrastructure serves as an economic catalyst by boosting local GDP and supply chains. This development is directly relevant for SSC and Banking exams testing scheme details, as well as UPSC GS-3 questions on civil aviation infrastructure.

#UDAN-Scheme#Civil-Aviation#Purulia-Airport#Viability-Gap-Funding#Regional-Connectivity

UPSC Study NotesHIGHGS3 — Infrastructure & Civil Aviation

GS3 — Infrastructure & Civil Aviation

📌 Exam Angle

UPSC Prelims may ask: "Which scheme aims to enhance regional air connectivity in tier-2 and tier-3 towns?" OR "What is Viability Gap Funding in the context of UDAN?" Mains could demand: "Evaluate UDAN's role in inclusive infrastructure development and regional economic growth with specific reference to underserved areas."

⚠️ Key Concerns

VGF sustainability and state-center cost-sharing disputes often derail regional airport projects. UPSC probes whether tier-3 airports achieve operational viability post-inauguration or become white elephants. The scheme's success depends on demand aggregation—mineral transport and tourism projections for Purulia must materialize to justify capital outlay.

💡 Why It Matters

UDAN directly supports PM's vision of inclusive growth by democratizing air travel beyond metros. Regional airports catalyze FDI, supply chain efficiency, and employment in backward districts—aligning with NITI Aayog's infrastructure priorities and SDG goals on connectivity.

🔑 Must Remember

• UDAN launched October 2016 targets unserved/underserved tier-2 and tier-3 towns with VGF support • Purulia airport under UDAN focuses on mineral transport, industrial investment, and tourism • Scheme combines central funding, state concessions on landing charges and fuel taxes

📝 Key Terms

UDANRegional Connectivity SchemeViability Gap Fundingtier-2 and tier-3 townscivil aviation infrastructureregional airportsPurulia districtinclusive growth

West Bengal to Sign Agreement with Centre for UDAN Airport in Purulia

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