Uttar Pradesh

• 29 Feb 2024

Uttar Pradesh to Soon Have 21 Airports

Why in News?

Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister announced that emphasising the rapid pace of the aviation sector, UP is all set to become the first state in India to have 21 airports.

Key Points

• According to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, the state has seen rapid growth of aviation infrastructure in the past 9 years.
  • Uttar Pradesh had only 6 airports in 2014, and now the state has 10 airports including the newly inaugurated airport in Ayodhya.
  • UP will have 5 more airports, one airport each in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot.
• Under the state budget 2024-25, the Uttar Pradesh government allocated Rs 1,150 crore for the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar of Gautam Buddha Nagar district.
• The proposed funds align with the objectives of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) of the Government of India and the Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Promotion Policy.

Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN)

• The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for regional airport development and regional connectivity enhancement.
• It is a part of the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
• The scheme is applicable for a period of 10 years.
• Objectives:
  • Improve the air connectivity to remote and regional areas of India.
  • Development of remote areas and enhancing trade and commerce and tourism expansion.
  • Enable common people to access air travel with affordable rates.
  • Employment creation in the aviation sector.

Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Promotion Policy

• The Civil Aviation Promotion Policy of Uttar Pradesh was launched in 2017.
• It intends to provide the necessary direction for the growth of this sector in the state.
• To improve the air connectivity through development of new routes under RCS by providing incentives and also to facilitate inter-connectivity of non-RCS airports of U.P.
• To give a boost to agro-exports, other perishable goods, manufacturing and e-commerce businesses in UP by supporting the development of air cargo hubs and fulfillment centers.
• To facilitate the growth of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in the state.

UP to Help India Become Self-Reliant in Defence Production

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister inaugurated the Ammunition Manufacturing Complex of Adani Group in the Defence Corridor at Sadh in Kanpur.

Key Points

• He pointed out that all six nodes of the defence corridor are actively contributing to India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
• IIT Kanpur and IIT BHU have been designated as Centres of Excellence for the Defence Manufacturing Corridor in UP.
• The CM also announced that after 46 years of the establishment of Noida, the state government is going to establish a new industrial city in the form of Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA).

Defence Industrial Corridor of UP

• It is an aspirational project that intends to reduce foreign dependency of the Indian Aerospace & Defence Sector.
• It includes 6 nodes – Aligarh, Agra, Kanpur, Chitrakoot, Jhansi and Lucknow.
• The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is the nodal agency to execute this project in conjunction with various other state agencies.
• It aims to bring up the state as one of the largest & advanced Defence manufacturing hubs and put it on the world map.

Defence Corridors

• A defence corridor refers to a route or a path along which domestic productions of defence equipment by public sector, private sector and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are lined up to enhance the operational capability of the defence forces.
• It will help in making the nation self-reliant in the field of defense production and promoting 'Make in India', which will reduce our imports and promote the export of these items to other countries.
• It will provide a fillip to the defence manufacturing ecosystem through synergistic development of technologies, promote the growth of private domestic manufacturers, including MSMEs and Start-Ups.