Discuss the role of regional air connectivity in the integration and economic development of the North-Eastern Region.

The North-Eastern Region (NER) is linked to the rest of India only through the narrow Siliguri Corridor. Its hilly terrain makes road travel slow, so the region has long been under-connected. UDAN, the Regional Connectivity Scheme launched under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, is now helping both to integrate the region and to grow its economy.

Role in integration

• Physical integration: 90 priority RCS routes now run in the NER [1]. They turn day-long road journeys into flights of about an hour.
• Modes suited to terrain: Nationally, 17 heliports are working and 200 modern helipads are planned under Modified UDAN [2]. Helicopters suit remote hill districts where runways are not practical.
• Social and administrative access: Faster travel helps patients, students and officials reach the region and move within it. PIB cites better medical access as a key gain [2].
• Cooperative federalism: 21 Centre–State/UT MoUs under Modified UDAN make the States co-owners of aerodrome development [2].

Role in economic development

• Farm incomes: Krishi UDAN (2020) carries perishable produce by air from the NE, hilly and tribal regions. It works together with Operation Greens [1].
• Tourism and local trade: PIB names Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh as an example of UDAN-linked growth in tourism, trade and jobs [2]. Nationally, aviation jobs rose from about 3 million to 7.7 million between 2014 and 2026 [2].
• Investment: Modified UDAN (₹28,840 crore, FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36) will build 100 airports from unserved airstrips. States compete for these projects through a Challenge Mode portal [2].

Limitations

• Implementation gap: Only 12 of 52 aerodromes identified in the NE are working [2].
• Routes stopping when support ends: In 2021 a Parliamentary Standing Committee found that under 40% of awarded routes had started. It recommended extending support beyond three years [3]. Modified UDAN now gives Viability Gap Funding for up to 5 years [2].
• Running costs: Central support for operation and maintenance lasts only 3 years [2]. After that, the cost may fall on NE States with limited finances.

Overall, regional air connectivity works as both a bridge and an engine for the NER: it shortens distances and opens up markets. Three steps would make this last: track how many routes are still flying years after launch, keep a reserved share of Challenge Mode projects for NE and hill States, and plan air links together with road and rail under PM Gati Shakti. Done well, UDAN can deliver on its promise to the aam nagrik (common citizen), support SDG 9 (resilient infrastructure) and advance balanced regional development.