What is Udan Yatri Cafe, its motive and Raghav Chadha's connection with it

We all know that eating and drinking at the airport is a costly affair. From a basic samosa to an exotic smoothie, every dish comes at a skyrocketing price that many have to think about before buying. But did you know that there is an affordable option operated by the government, where you can get food at the starting price of Rs 20 only? Sounds impossible? Scroll down to read the details.

It is an initiative to enhance passenger facilities at airports across the country. It is a chain of cafes started by the Government of India in March 2025 and is known to provide affordable food at Rs 20.

The motive behind this initiative is to provide passengers access to snacks starting at Rs 20. As per a PIB report, "The Udan Yatri Café aims to provide quality food at accessible prices, making airport dining more affordable for passengers. The café’s introduction is part of a broader strategy to modernise airport infrastructure, while ensuring that air travel remains a viable option for more people."

A recent clip shared on Instagram by an IIT Bombay alumnus Piyush Tripathi has made the cafe viral. In the clip, he is travelling with his wife and as they walk through the airport, he casually asks her, "Samosa khaogi airport par?(Will you have a samosa at the airport?)." He then says, “Aao chale khilate hai (Come, let’s go, I’ll get you one)" before leading her to the Udan Yatri Cafe inside the terminal. At the Cafe, the couple picks up two cups of tea and samosas. The banter continues when he asks her, “Kiski wajah se hua hai ye? (Because of whom has this happened?) Her response was immediate: “Raghav Chadha." He followed it up playfully with, “Kaisa lagta hai Raghav Chadha? (How do you find Raghav Chadha?)" She smiled and replied, “Handsome."The caption accompanying the post read: “Expectation: Airport = mehenga. Reality: Rs 20 samosa + Rs 10 chai. Fact check passed." The video went viral and till date has garnered more than 11 million views and counting.

It started during the Winter Session of Parliament in 2024, when Raghav Chadha drew attention to how travellers are often forced to pay inflated rates for basic necessities at airports. “A water bottle costs Rs 100, and tea is priced at Rs 200-250. Can’t the government establish affordable canteens at airports?" he had questioned.

The viral video has gained a lot of traction on social media. Raghav Chadha himself commented, saying, “Haha, hope you enjoyed the samosa!" Actor Parineeti Chopra, his wife, joined in too, writing, “I totally agree," in response to the “handsome" remark.