Post the successful commencement of flight operations from the Kalaburagi airport in Karnataka, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) recently flagged off the first direct flight from Bidar airport to Bengaluru in Karnataka. The airport has been remodeled under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) of the Government of India and has been developed at an estimated Rs 110 million to be borne by the state government with the help of the Central Government. BS Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Bidar MP Bhagwanth Khuba inaugurated the flight operations at the Bidar airport.Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary in the Ministry reportedly said that the newly built airport inks the commitment and perseverance of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) of India to establish substantial air connectivity in India. While appreciating the support of the Government of Karnataka and Indian Air Force, Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary in-charge of UDAN, informed about a recently achieved milestone under UDAN by commencing the 250th route. With the inauguration of the Bengaluru-Bidar route, MoCA has successfully operationalised 252 routes and 45 airports under this flagship scheme.The inauguration of Bidar airport marks the operationalisation of the eighth airport in the Karnataka region. MoCA undertook the task to re-model the Bidar Airforce station for commercial aviation purposes, as people of Bidar had to travel frequently to Bengaluru for all administrative work and had to cover 11-hour journey by either train or bus. With the inauguration of the Bidar airport, the natives can now reach Bengaluru and other parts of the country with much ease.