Under the Central Government’s ‘UDAN’ (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, 10 airstrips in Madhya Pradesh are proposed to be developed into airports. In the first phase, Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu on Sunday approved the conversion of five airstrips, including Singrauli, into airports.
During a review meeting of the Aviation Department at the CM House, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said the state had prepared a proposal to convert the airstrips at Singrauli, Sagar, Neemuch, Chhindwara, Mandla, Khandwa, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Umaria and Shahdol into airports.
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Naidu approved five airports and directed officials to identify a suitable site in Singrauli. Under the UDAN scheme, the Central Government bears the entire cost. The state government will now submit a fresh proposal to the Centre for developing airports in five districts, with large and remote districts such as Shahdol, Chhindwara and Khandwa likely to be considered.
Priority will also be given to districts based on their industrial development and tourism potential. During the meeting, Naidu said the UDAN scheme has been extended for another 10 years and will now continue until 2036.
The Chief Minister said that the Krishi Udan scheme for airports in Indore, Bhopal and Jabalpur has been brought to benefit farmers to approach the global market. The Chief Minister added that the state government will bear 60 per cent of the course fee to help youth for aviation career.
According to the CM, 8 airports are being constructed in Madhya Pradesh, whereas Ujjain and Shivpuri also got an airport under development.
PM Shri Air Ambulance Service Benefits Over 170 Patients
Madhya Pradesh was the first state in the country to launch the PM Shri Air Ambulance service. More than 170 critically ill patients have benefited from the service, with 99 per cent of them reportedly saved. The service transports critical patients from different parts of the state to higher healthcare institutions.
Sanjay Kumar Shukla, ACS, Aviation Department, said that more than 50,000 passengers from Madhya Pradesh had used air services as of June this year.
Naidu Directs Officials To Expedite Shivpuri, Ujjain Airports
Union Minister Naidu directed officials from the Airports Authority of India and the state Aviation Department to speed up work on the proposed airports in Ujjain and Shivpuri.
He directed officials to obtain all necessary environmental clearances for the Ujjain airport by October 10. The airport is expected to be particularly useful for pilgrims attending Simhastha 2028.
Naidu also instructed officials to immediately identify a suitable new site for the proposed greenfield airport in Shivpuri and expedite the process of its construction.