The UDAN initiative has drawn flak from some quarters, although it remains a bold attempt to redefine regional connectivity. It seeks not only to link cities but to redraw India’s economic geography by bringing smaller towns into the national flow of commerce, tourism, and opportunity.

Yet, the gap between intent and outcome is evident. While new routes have opened, passenger demand remains uneven and often fragile.The core dilemma persists: can infrastructure create demand, or must demand precede infrastructure?

Viability Gap Funding has enabled launch, but prolonged dependence may strain fiscal efficiency. Still, UDAN is best seen as a formative experiment. Its future rests on whether connectivity matures into consistent economic activity, or remains an aspiration suspended, quite literally, up in the air.

Vijay Singh Adhikari

Nainital, Uttarakhand

Apropos “Up in the air” (April 3), the renewed push for Udan is welcome, but concerns about long-term viability remain valid.

Connectivity should not come at the cost of repeated route failures and idle infrastructure. The focus must shift from expansion to consolidation. Careful route selection based on realistic demand, periodic performance audits, and strict entry-exit criteria are essential.

In addition, better coordination with rail and road networks can help optimise passenger loads. A stable policy framework and investment in skilled manpower will ensure that regional connectivity becomes both accessible and sustainable.

A Myilsami

Coimbatore

The Iran quagmire

This refers to “Still no endgame in sight” (April 3). Impelled by Israel Prime Minister, the US President began a war with Iran to destroy its nuclear arsenal and ensure world peace. Today he himself looks like a real risk to world peace.

Trump has little domestic support for the Iran war. NATO member nations are keeping aloof.

Doubts are being raised about his war strategy. Iran has cleverly devised a powerful tool — selective closing of strait of Hormuz.

The economic effects of Trump’s actions have left the world in a much worse condition already.

Let us hope the pressure of the world opinion for diplomacy will supersede his claim of valour.

YG Chouksey

Pune

Healthcare personnel

The article ‘Allied healthcare needs attention’ (April 3) made interesting reading. It is imperative that India plans its resources (material and human) well in the healthcare sector. That it faces a shortage of more than eight million healthcare workers today smacks of its poor manpower planning. With a billion plus population, there would not be shortage of labour in any sector.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Chennai

Published on April 3, 2026