New Delhi, Feb. 25 -- With just a month left in the financial year, India has operationalized only four airports under its regional air connectivity scheme UDAN-the lowest number added in a single fiscal year since the programme began nine years ago.

However, the civil aviation ministry denied that there was any loss in momentum in adding UDAN airports.

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) was central to the government's push to expand aviation beyond the large cities and make air travel accessible and affordable for everyone in the country. However, data submitted by the ministry of civil aviation in Parliament show that airport additions under UDAN have declined steadily after peaking early.

Airports operationalized this year were those at ...