JODHPUR, Jul 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the newly built terminal at Jodhpur airport and launched the modified UDAN scheme, combining a major infrastructure milestone for Rajasthan with a fresh push to India’s regional aviation network.
The Prime Minister arrived in Jodhpur in the afternoon and was received at the airport by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade, Union Minister and Jodhpur MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. Soon after his arrival, Modi formally dedicated the new terminal building to the public by unveiling the inauguration plaque through a remote controlled ceremony before taking a walkthrough of the facility.
The inauguration of the new terminal marks a significant upgrade for Jodhpur’s civil aviation infrastructure. Built at a cost of Rs 480 crore, the terminal has been developed over an area of more than 23,000 square metres and is designed to handle up to 20 lakh passengers annually. Officials said the expanded infrastructure is expected to improve passenger movement, strengthen air connectivity for western Rajasthan and support future growth in domestic aviation traffic from the region.
The terminal has been equipped with modern passenger facilities aimed at delivering a smoother travel experience, with upgraded arrival and departure areas, improved circulation space, enhanced waiting zones and other airport amenities designed to handle higher footfall more efficiently. The project is expected to ease congestion and improve operational capacity at the airport as Jodhpur continues to grow as a tourism, business and cultural destination.
Architecturally, the new building reflects a blend of regional heritage and modern airport design. Inspired by Rajasthan’s royal aesthetic, the structure incorporates elements such as arches and jharokhas while maintaining a contemporary layout suited to present-day airport operations. The visual design seeks to give the terminal a distinct local identity while aligning with modern standards of passenger comfort and functionality.
During the event, Modi also launched the modified UDAN scheme, a revamped version of the Centre’s regional connectivity programme aimed at taking air travel deeper into smaller cities and underserved regions. The new version of the scheme carries an outlay of Rs 28,840 crore over the next 10 years and is intended to support the next phase of aviation-led development across the country.
Officials said the revised UDAN framework has been designed to expand and strengthen regional air connectivity through a more comprehensive approach, with multiple strategic components built into the programme. The focus is expected to remain on connecting unserved and underserved airports, encouraging airline participation on regional routes, improving last-mile accessibility and creating a more sustainable aviation network that can support balanced regional growth.
The launch of the modified scheme from Jodhpur was seen as symbolically important, as Rajasthan has been one of the states to benefit from expanding aviation infrastructure and regional air links in recent years. With tourism, trade, defence presence and growing domestic travel demand, cities such as Jodhpur are increasingly being positioned as key nodes in India’s broader connectivity map.
The event also carried a cultural touch, with folk artistes performing during the Prime Minister’s visit to the airport terminal. The performances reflected Rajasthan’s rich artistic heritage and added a ceremonial note to the inauguration of the new public infrastructure project.
The opening of the Jodhpur terminal and the rollout of the updated UDAN programme together signal the Centre’s continued emphasis on using aviation infrastructure as a driver of regional development, tourism growth and easier mobility. With passenger traffic rising steadily across India and demand growing beyond major metro airports, the government has increasingly focused on building capacity in tier-II and tier-III cities while improving connectivity to smaller destinations.
For Jodhpur, the new terminal is expected to serve not just as an infrastructure upgrade but as a gateway for greater economic activity, tourism inflow and regional integration. For the aviation sector more broadly, the modified UDAN scheme is being positioned as the next step in extending the reach of affordable air travel and strengthening the country’s regional aviation ecosystem over the coming decade.