MADCL to be implementing agency for UDAN

Maharashtra's nodal airport body, MADCL, will be the implementing agency for the Centre's ambitious regional connectivity scheme UDAN, besides acting as a link between various aerodrome operators and the state for a better coordination.
Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd (MADCL) will work as a nodal agency for coordination between the state government and several private airport operators, a GR issued today said.
It will also work as a nodal agency for implementing Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, which seeks to provide air connectivity to unserved airports as well as enhancing flight services to the underserved ones, as per the Government Resolution (GR).

Unserved airports are the one where there is no flight operations whereas the underserved airports have been categorised as the ones which have three or less flight per week.
In the first phase of the regional connectivity scheme, the government had chosen five bidders, including state-owned Alliance Air and private airline SpiceJet and mandated them to operate flights to 70 airports connecting 128 routes. The name of the bidders for the second phase of the scheme are expected to be announced later this month.
The GR further stated that there are 28 airports across Maharashtra, which are owned and operated by separate government agencies, as well as private players.

These airports are also going through several development works, which need a monitoring agency to maintain the coordination, therefore MADCL is appointed as nodal agency for this purpose.