PM Modi’s UDAN scheme takes flight with Delhi-Shimla service
NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday flagged off the first Rs 2,500-an-hour flight from Shimla as part of an UDAN scheme that makes air travel accessible to lower middle class families. It also plans to enhance connectivity with more airports in the country.
The first regional flight under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme was flagged off between Shimla and Delhi from Jubbarhatti, the tabletop airport located 2,196 metres above sea level and 22 km from Shimla.
During his day-long visit to the Queen of Hills, which saw mild showers in the morning, Modi underscored the thrust on keeping the air fares within the reach of the middle class.
“I want to see people who wear ‘Hawaii chappals’ (rubber slippers) in a ‘hawai jahaaz’ (aircraft),” Modi said at the launch of the scheme.
The PM announced that the next flight to take off under the scheme would operate on the Mumbai-Nanded sector.
“Earlier it was believed that air travel was meant only for the “Raja-Maharaja and elite class”. Even the mascot of Air India was a maharaja,” he said.
The PM recalled that he had raised the issue with Rajiv Pratap Rudy, civil aviation minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, and said cartoonist R K Laxman’s Common Man should be the mascot of the airline.
“The Delhi-Shimla flight is cheaper than a taxi ride. A taxi will take at least nine hours and is available for a fare of ₹10 per km. A flight will now cost you Rs 6-7 per km on the same route and will also save you time,” he added.