New Delhi,
The Civil Aviation Ministry today announced the second round of winners under the regional air connectivity scheme (RCS) — Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN-2). Under the scheme, Hisar, Kasauli, Manali and Mandi along with Kargil in J&K and Bathinda will soon be on the country’s air route map.

Besides, Nathpa-Jhakri and Rampur in Himachal will also get air connectivity with Pawan Hans operating helicopter services from these towns.

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju said the UDAN Phase 2 has dealt with difficult issues and has addressed the problem of the hilly regions.

The ministry, after receiving 90 proposals, has awarded a total of 325 RCS routes of which 129 are in the priority areas and 196 in the non-priority areas across the country which would add another 25 airports by the fixed-wing aircraft under UDAN-2. The remote region of Pakyong in Sikkim will get fixed-wing connectivity and would get a direct flight by SpiceJet to Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata.

Raju said UDAN-2 will connect 43 airports and helipads in the priority sector, which includes the North-East and the hill states.

Uttarakhand will get the largest air connectivity with 16 towns which include Almora, Haldwani, Haridwar, Joshimath, Mussoorie and Nainital being connected by air to various other places.

The RCS partly subsidises the flights through a cess on flights to metro cities. The routes are awarded to the airline asking for the lowest funding from the government.