Maharashtra Becomes Second-Highest Recipient Of UDAN Subsidies, Gets Over ₹632 Crore VGF
Mumbai: Maharashtra has emerged as the second-largest beneficiary of the Centre's flagship regional connectivity scheme – UDAN – securing more than Rs 632 crore in viability gap funding (VGF) to power air links to its underserved and unserved regions. The state followed Karnataka, which stood the highest gainer at Rs 823 crore until June 2026. Official data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation…
Maharashtra has become the second-largest recipient of the Centre's UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, receiving over ₹632 crore in viability gap funding (VGF) as of June 30, 2026. This allocation follows Karnataka, which led with Rs 823 crore in VGF disbursements until the same date. The data, released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, demonstrates the significant investment required to connect interior tier-2 and tier-3 locations in Maharashtra to the national aviation network.
Key regions like Nashik's Ozar, Sindhudurg's Chhipi, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Solapur, and Amravati have benefited from this substantial allocation. Other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, have also received substantial VGF funding, with Uttar Pradesh leading at over Rs 523 crore. Under the UDAN framework, the government has developed and operationalized 95 airports, 17 heliports, and two water aerodromes.
The scheme aims to upgrade 100 unserved airstrips into full-fledged airports and construct 200 modern helipads over eight years. Additionally, VGF support of Rs 10,043 crore over ten years has been provided to airline operators, with a focus on connecting 120 new destinations to serve 4 crore people.
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