Srikakulam to Get Full-Fledged Airport Under UDAN Scheme, Minister Announces

Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu announced on Thursday that Srikakulam district will be included in the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagarik) scheme, paving the way for a full-fledged airport in the region. The airport, proposed in Mandasa mandal of the Uddanam area, is part of a larger initiative to develop 100 new airports across India between 2026 and 2036.

Speaking to The Hindu, Minister Naidu, who represents the Srikakulam parliamentary constituency, said the airport would act as a mini aviation hub, encouraging ancillary industries. He clarified that the airport would not be a cargo-only facility, as previously reported, but a full-fledged airport with cargo facilities to ensure economic viability. The government has allocated approximately ₹28,840 crore for viability gap funding under the UDAN scheme to support developers.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from local stakeholders. Seepana Gunavati, convener of the National Backward Classes Welfare Association's state women's wing, welcomed the proposal, stating it would benefit the entire Uddanam region and enhance Srikakulam's image. She urged the minister to select barren land for the airport to avoid damaging farmlands.

However, CPI(M) Srikakulam district secretary D. Govinda Rao expressed strong opposition, calling the airport a threat to the region, which is a major agricultural hub for cashew, coconut, and other crops in mandals such as Mandasa, Palasa, and Sompeta. He argued that the project would primarily benefit the corporate sector and harm farmers, vowing to continue agitations against the proposal.

The UDAN scheme, launched in 2016, aims to make air travel affordable and accessible to common citizens by connecting underserved and unserved airports. The inclusion of Srikakulam is expected to boost local connectivity and economic development, though concerns over land use and environmental impact remain.