Itanagar, September 5: In a major push to boost regional connectivity, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Thursday announced that heliports will be developed in every district of Northeast India under a revamped and extended UDAN scheme, which will now continue for another 10 years.
The announcement came during the inaugural session of the North East Region Ministers’ Conference on Civil Aviation and the 3rd North East Aviation Summit, held in Itanagar. Naidu emphasized that the summit has evolved into a key platform for shaping aviation policy and public–private collaboration in the region.
Since 2014–15, investment in the Northeast’s civil aviation sector has surged by 153%, with over ₹1.45 lakh crore channelled into infrastructure projects under the PM Gati Shakti initiative. The number of operational airports in the region has grown from 9 to 16, and passenger traffic has tripled over the past decade.
“The new UDAN framework offers long-term certainty to airlines and states. Heliports in every district will directly address last-mile connectivity challenges in the Northeast,” Naidu stated, adding that civil aviation is no longer a luxury but a “critical enabler of Viksit Bharat @2047.”
Chief Minister Pema Khandu welcomed the announcements, noting that Arunachal Pradesh is on track to have two new airports and that aviation has significantly reshaped the region’s development outlook. “Airports in Arunachal were once a dream—now they’re a reality,” he said.
The day-long summit brought together civil aviation ministers, senior officials, and industry stakeholders from all eight northeastern states. Discussions focused on expanding aviation infrastructure, introducing helicopter and small aircraft services, exploring opportunities in seaplanes and drones, and enhancing cargo and general aviation facilities.
The Ministry also launched several initiatives at the Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar, including a new terminal with capacity for 1 million passengers annually, an UDAN café, a crèche, and a local artisan shop.
In a further boost to aviation development, the Civil Aviation Ministry announced that four pre-feasibility studies for greenfield airports will be offered annually to Northeast states at no cost.
