Develop and operationalise new airports, helipads and aerodromes

The promise was to enhance air connectivity by developing and operationalising new airports, helipads and aerodromes. Official evidence shows continued expansion: the number of operational airports increased from 74 to 165 by June 2026, and UDAN had operationalised 669 routes across 95 airports by then. The Cabinet also approved Modified UDAN for FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36 with a total outlay of Rs 28,840 crore, including proposed development of 100 airports from unserved airstrips, 200 modern helipads and longer VGF support. This is on_track because connectivity expansion is measurable and the next phase has clear funding and targets, but the new 100-airport and 200-helipad phase has not yet been delivered. Budget: direct allocation exists through Modified UDAN with Rs 28,840 crore, including Rs 12,159 crore for aerodrome development, Rs 3,661 crore for modern helipads and Rs 10,043 crore for VGF; earlier UDAN evidence also reports VGF disbursement and airport-development spending.