JSW Group submits bid under govt's regional air connectivity scheme UDAN

New Delhi: Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Group has submitted bid under the government's regional air connectivity scheme UDAN that also seeks to make flying more affordable.

The group has put bids for one of the regional connectivity scheme routes, a company official said. "JSW Group has submitted bid for the ambitious scheme initially," the official added.

"The plan is to transport the employees and guests of JSW Group from Bangalore airport to its mother plant at Bellary," the official said. The government's ambitious UDAN (Ude Desh Ke Aam Naagrik) scheme aims at boosting air connectivity to and from unserved and under-served airports and making flying more affordable.

Under the regional air connectivity scheme, the fares have been capped at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flights. Under UDAN, the participating airlines would be extended VGF (viability gap funding) -- that would be jointly funded by the Centre and the state government concerned.

Towards VGF, the government has started charging Rs 8,500 levy per departure of flights on major routes. UDAN, which would be in place for 10 years, was launched in October 2016 and seeks to provide connectivity to unserved and under-served regions through revival of existing air strips and airports.