New Delhi [India], October 20 (ANI): As the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN, launched in 2016, marks its 8th anniversary tomorrow, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Asangba Chuba Ao, highlighted the scheme's significant progress on Sunday, noting that approximately 1.44 crore people have benefited from the scheme with 601 routes operational till date.

Chuba Ao said that to mark the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated airports and laid foundation stones for new ones in Varanasi.

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The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched on October 21, 2016, aims to make air travel affordable and accessible to common citizens.

"If you look at the journey of UDAN, as of now, about 1.44 crore people have already flown under the RCS which is a huge number by any measure. 601 routes have been operated under the scheme so far," the Joint Secretary said.

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"The UDAN scheme is going to celebrate its 8th anniversary tomorrow, October 21. UDAN scheme was launched in 2016...We celebrate 8 years of UDAN scheme in service of the nation," he added.

Chuba Ao further highlighted that PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several airports in Varanasi, including three--Saharanpur, Rewa, and Ambikapur--under the UDAN scheme.

"Even the other schemes for which the foundation stones are being laid - Agra, Darbhanga, Bagdogra and Varanasi; Agra and Darbhanga airports started the operations with UDAN flights," he said.

PM Modi inaugurated development projects worth Rs 6,100 crores during his one-day visit to his home constituency of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. The projects include multiple airport projects worth over Rs 6,100 crore and multiple development initiatives in Varanasi.

Speaking at the event, PM Modi said, "Today is a very auspicious day for Kashi," highlighting that projects have been launched across various sectors that will enhance facilities and create new employment opportunities for the youth.

"Today is a very auspicious day for Kashi. I have just come back after inaugurating a big eye hospital. RJ Shankara Eye Hospital is going to greatly benefit the elderly and children. With Baba's blessings, projects worth thousands of crores have been inaugurated and foundation stones have been laid here. Today, different airports have been inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh," PM Modi said.

"Overall, today Varanasi has received projects in every field--education, skill development, sports, health, and tourism. All these projects have brought facilities and many new employment opportunities for our youth," he added. (ANI)

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