The government awards 324 routes to airlines and helicopter operators, enhancing connectivity in 73 new airports and helipads in Tier 2 and 3 cities including Kargil in Ladakh region, reported PTI.

This announcement was made in the second round of bidding for the Centre's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), also known as UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik). The scheme aims at enhancing flight services in small cities and takes flying to the masses.

Rights have been granted to 11 fixed-wing operators for 67 proposals and four helicopter operators have been awarded 23 proposals.Among major domestic carriers, IndiGo has bagged 20 proposals, SpiceJet got 17 while Jet Airways won 4 proposals.

The second round of UDAN is expected to connect 43 airports and helipads in "priority sector", which includes the north-eastern and hill states, the official said.

Rs 620 crores will be spent by the government in providing viability gap funding or subsidy to airlines and helicopter operators for RCS flights. In the first round of UDAN concluded in March last year, a total of 128 routes were awarded to five airline operators.