Bokaro, Dumka airports await DGCA nod after UDAN development work complete
Synopsis
Four of Jharkhand's six UDAN airports are now built — but two are still waiting on DGCA clearance to fly, two more are stuck because the state hasn't handed over land, and over ₹117 crore has already been spent. With a revamped UDAN targeting 120 new destinations launched just weeks ago, the gap between construction and actual connectivity in Jharkhand captures the scheme's wider execution challenge.
Key Takeaways
Development work is complete at Bokaro and Dumka airports; DGCA approval for flight operations is pending.
Flights are already operational at Jamshedpur and Deoghar airports under the UDAN scheme.
Work at Hazaribagh and Daltonganj airports has not started due to the Jharkhand state government not providing required land.
The Centre has spent ₹117.61 crore of the ₹122.04 crore sanctioned for Jharkhand airport development.
A revamped UDAN scheme launched on 4 July 2026 targets 120 new or underserved destinations and connectivity for 40 million people over the next decade.
Bokaro and Dumka airports in Jharkhand have completed infrastructure development under the Centre's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN, but commercial flight operations remain on hold pending approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), according to a written reply tabled in the Rajya Sabha on 27 July. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol provided the update in response to a question from House member Parimal Nathwani.
Status of Six UDAN Airports in Jharkhand
Of the six airports selected under the UDAN scheme in Jharkhand — Bokaro, Dumka, Jamshedpur, Hazaribagh, Deoghar, and Daltonganj — development work has been completed at four. Flight operations are already functional at Jamshedpur and Deoghar, while Bokaro and Dumka are ready on the ground but await regulatory clearance. Local official sources indicate that the DGCA approval process is currently underway for both airports.
Two Projects Stalled Over Land Dispute
Progress at Hazaribagh and Daltonganj airports has not even commenced, as the Jharkhand state government has yet to provide the required land for the projects. The Centre confirmed that both projects remain stalled until the land issue is resolved. This points to a recurring friction in India's regional aviation expansion — where Centre-funded schemes are held up by state-level land acquisition delays.
Funding Utilised and Outcomes So Far
The Centre has sanctioned ₹122.04 crore for airport development projects across Jharkhand under the scheme, of which ₹117.61 crore — over 96% — has already been spent. The funds have gone toward building aviation infrastructure and improving air connectivity to smaller cities in the state. Notably, the Centre did not specify a timeline for when commercial services would begin at Bokaro or Dumka.
Revamped UDAN Scheme Raises the Stakes
The government launched a new version of the UDAN scheme on 4 July 2026, aiming to connect 120 new or underserved airports and destinations across the country over the next decade. The revamped programme targets affordable regional air connectivity for nearly 40 million people. Originally conceptualised under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, the scheme incentivises airlines through concessions and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to operate on regional routes, ensuring accessible fares on thin-margin corridors.
What Happens Next
The DGCA clearance process for Bokaro and Dumka is the immediate bottleneck. Once approvals are granted, airlines will need to be designated for these routes under the UDAN framework before scheduled services can begin. For Hazaribagh and Daltonganj, the onus remains on the Jharkhand government to release land before any construction can start.
Point of View
But it cannot fly planes into airports where states haven't delivered land, or where the DGCA pipeline is slow. With over 96% of sanctioned funds spent and only two of six airports actually operational, the output ratio is underwhelming. The revamped UDAN's promise of 120 new destinations will ring hollow if the same land-acquisition and regulatory bottlenecks that have stalled Hazaribagh and Daltonganj are replicated at scale. The scheme needs a faster DGCA clearance track and a binding state-level land delivery mechanism — not just bigger headline numbers.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Bokaro and Dumka airports not yet operational despite construction being complete?
Bokaro and Dumka airports have completed infrastructure development under the UDAN scheme but are awaiting regulatory approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) before commercial flights can begin. Local official sources say the DGCA clearance process is currently underway.
Which Jharkhand airports are already operational under the UDAN scheme?
Jamshedpur and Deoghar airports are already functional with flight operations under the RCS-UDAN scheme. They are two of the six airports selected for the programme in Jharkhand.
Why have Hazaribagh and Daltonganj airport projects not started?
Construction at Hazaribagh and Daltonganj airports has not commenced because the Jharkhand state government has not yet provided the required land for both projects. The Centre confirmed both remain stalled pending land transfer.
How much has the Centre spent on Jharkhand airport development under UDAN?
The Centre sanctioned ₹122.04 crore for airport development in Jharkhand, of which ₹117.61 crore — more than 96% — has already been utilised to build aviation infrastructure and improve connectivity to smaller cities.
What is the revamped UDAN scheme launched in July 2026?
The government launched a new version of the UDAN scheme on 4 July 2026, aiming to connect 120 new or underserved airports and destinations across India over the next decade. The programme targets affordable regional air connectivity for nearly 40 million people, building on the original scheme conceived under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
