UDAN airports open in Saharanpur, Rewa, and Ambikapur

24 Oct 2024 CW Team

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated new airports under the regional connectivity UDAN scheme on Sunday, located in Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh). The event took place from Varanasi, coinciding with the 8th anniversary of the national civil aviation policy (NCAP) 2016.

These airports will soon facilitate subsidized regional flights, creating significant opportunities for economic growth and regional development. The government is supporting the aviation sector with incentives such as 100% tax exemptions for UDAN airport projects for a decade and full customs duty exemptions for maintenance, repair, and overhaul service providers.

Industry leaders welcomed these developments; Rahul Bhatia, MD of InterGlobe Aviation and IndiGo, praised the government for its rapid and efficient airport development efforts. Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube remarked on a promising future for airlines, predicting significant profitability over the next decade. Jaideep Mirchandani, chairman of Sky One, noted that air travel has become more inclusive, thanks to expanded services in smaller cities.

According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the demand for air travel in India is rising, with projections indicating a need for over 2,200 aircraft by 2042. Additionally, more than 30 airport development projects are currently underway in Northeast India. Joshua Ng, director at Alton Aviation Consultancy, highlighted that India possesses the necessary elements for success and is progressing in the right direction.

Since the launch of the first UDAN flight from Shimla to Delhi on April 27, 2017, over 14 million passengers have utilized UDAN services across 600 routes, as reported by the aviation ministry. The scheme encompasses various aircraft types, from Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 to smaller planes and helicopters, enhancing air connectivity to smaller towns.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..