Sindhudurg To Navi Mumbai Can Soon Become An Hour Away; State Offers Aiding Airlines Under UDAN To Commence Operations

Maharashtra Government aims to streamline travel between Sindhudurg and Navi Mumbai International Airport through direct flights. The state is utilizing the RCS-UDAN scheme to attract airlines with a 100% viability gap funding (VGF) offer. The Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd (MADC) released an RFP to commercial airlines for the proposed route.

The highly anticipated connection would link Mumbai's commercial hub with the Konkan coastal belt, featuring UNESCO-inscribed forts, beaches, and eco-tourism sites. However, earlier efforts to establish the route have been unsuccessful due to financial risks. To address these concerns, the Maharashtra Government will provide 100% aid for half the seats on Category-2 aircraft (40-80 seater) and 38 seats on Category-3 aircraft (over 80 seater).

The state caps passenger fares at Rs 3,580 for a 374km journey and Rs 3,735 for a 388km return trip. The selection process will be based on the least cost based selection (LCBS) method, awarding the contract to the bidder with the lowest VGF requirement. Operators must prioritize selling discounted RCS seats before opening non-RCS inventory.

If an aircraft remains grounded for over two consecutive days, MADC will impose a penalty of Rs 1 lakh per operational day. To ensure a minimum of 75% passenger turnout over two consecutive months, operators may face VGF reductions and contract termination. The Sindhudurg Chipi Airport, developed by IRB Infrastructure, is equipped to handle Airbus A321 aircraft.