The Daily Brief India’s push to get the aam aadmi to fly
Oct 31, 2025
India is revolutionizing regional aviation with the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (Udan) initiative, aimed at making flights more accessible. The program has activated numerous routes and airports, fostering local economies like Kishangarh's marble trade. Meanwhile, mid-cap IT firms are outshining their larger counterparts by mastering specialized engineering and leveraging domain expertise. Performance highlights include Persistent's growth and strategic wins for Coforge. Dive in to discover how both sectors are shaping India's future!
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How Udan Jump-Started Regional Aviation
- Udan used price caps, subsidies and exclusive route rights to jump-start regional air connectivity in India.
- The scheme revived dozens of airports and brought 1.5 crore first-time flyers to the skies.
The Incentives That Made Udan Attractive
- Udan bundled fare caps with government top-ups and waived airport fees to make thin routes attractive to airlines.
- It also granted three-year route exclusivity to encourage trial of unproven routes.
Kishangarh Marble Trade Took Off
- Kishangarh's marble traders began flying clients and samples directly to metros after Udan started flights.
- The town's marble trade reportedly grew threefold partly due to new air links.