Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated Satna and Datia airports on 31 May under the UDAN scheme, bringing both facilities into operation.
• Satna Airport, developed by the Airports Authority of India at a cost of Rs 36.96 crore, features a 768-square-metre terminal that handles 50 passengers per peak hour and up to 2.5 lakh annually.
• Datia Airport’s Rs 60.63-crore upgrade supports 150 passengers per hour and 2.5 lakh annually with infrastructure suited for ATR-72 aircraft and plans for A-320 services.
• Both airports incorporate sustainability measures including LED lighting, solar-powered streetlights, rainwater harvesting and treated water reuse for landscaping.
• The operationalisation is expected to boost tourism, generate local employment and attract investment in the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions.