PM Modi's ambitious UDAN scheme, launched in 2016, has introduced 517 new flying routes and 76 airports in small towns and cities over the past 7 years. But flight path has been bumpy.
One key finding CAG report that Kharge also mentioned, is that as of March 2023, of 774 awarded routes under UDAN, only 7% could sustain operations beyond 3-year concession period.
Minister of state for civil aviation told Lok Sabha that airlines plan flights on routes based on market demand & commercial feasibility, over which aviation ministry has no jurisdiction.
At the behest of the govt, Honeywell is developing software that will decipher accents and automatically transcribe what’s said for air traffic controllers.
Pakistan failed to understand the fiercely independent psyche of the Afghans and Pashtun nationalism, which has dominated politics in Afghanistan since its emergence in 1747.
Tajikistan did not want to extend the lease because of apparent pressure from Russia & China over non-regional military personnel at the air base, it is learnt.
On 21 Oct, a buzz went up that the govt had released full list of gallantry award recipients along with Op Sindoor citations. I put an AI caddy on the job. It took me into a never-ending rabbit hole.
COMMENTS