New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a ₹28,840 crore project to revamp India’s regional air connectivity scheme and approved ₹1,800 crore to modernize the country’s immigration system.
The Cabinet approved a modified version of the Udan scheme, from FY27 to FY36, to expand connectivity to underserved regions by building 100 airports from existing runways and promoting the operation of regional airports.
Citing sources, Mint reported on 29 November 2024 that the government has identified about 150 small airports and airstrips for modernization and development to meet the growing demand for passengers and air cargo.
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The plan includes ₹12,159 crore for airport development, ₹3,661 crore for 200 helipads in remote and hilly areas and ₹10,043 crore in viability gap funding to maintain low-traffic routes. Other ₹2,577 million crowns are earmarked for the operation and maintenance of regional facilities.
According to Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the plan suggested upgrading existing infrastructure rather than building new greenfield airports he told reporters after the government meeting and added that about 15 currently non-operational Udan airports will be restored.
The government expects the revamped Udan program to connect around 120 new destinations and serve nearly 40 million passengers, while boosting tourism, local economic activity and emergency response capabilities in remote regions.
The scheme also proposes a push for domestic manufacturing with provisions for the purchase of aircraft such as HAL Dhruv helicopters and Dornier aircraft.
Ease of travel
Separately, the Cabinet approved the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) 3.0 program with expenditure of ₹1,800 crore for five years from April 2026.
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The upgraded system will deploy artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and biometric authentication, including facial and iris recognition, along with integrated digital platforms and infrastructure upgrades across immigration checkpoints and registration offices.
“The aim of this move is to reduce processing time, improve user experience and strengthen national security by enabling data sharing and real-time monitoring of foreign travelers,” Vaishnaw said. According to the cabinet note, the system will facilitate legitimate travel while addressing emerging security challenges associated with global mobility.
Originally launched in 2010, the IVFRT system will be extended until March 2031, with the final phase focusing on technology upgrades, expanded infrastructure and service optimization, including mobile services and self-service kiosks.
The government said in a statement that the modernized system will focus on technological innovation, expansion of infrastructure and optimization of services. It will create a more efficient and secure immigration ecosystem, strengthen the country’s ability to track foreign nationals and manage illegal migration.
The system currently covers 117 immigration posts, 15 regional registration offices and more than 850 registration offices across the country.
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Cabinet also approved an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the UN climate framework, which increased its emission intensity reduction target to 47% from 2005 levels and increased the share of non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 60% by 2035.
The revised targets build on India’s earlier commitments, many of which were met ahead of schedule, and are in line with the broader goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. The government plans to expand forests and trees to absorb 3.5–4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2035.
