The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is gearing up to commence operations of seaplane services on select routes under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework through prospective airline operators. The execution and implementation of the project will be through select routes under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework through prospective airline operators. 

Seaplane service to boost tourism

In an official statement Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (I/C), explained that initiation of the seaplane operations are in line with the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s, vision to boost connectivity across the nation. This is being done to make the country a more attractive destination to tourists. A press release issued by the government has highlighted that several destinations are envisaged for seaplane operations. The proposed origin-destination pairs include various islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, Guwahati Riverfront & Umranso Reservoir in Assam, Yamuna Riverfront / Delhi (as Hub) to Ayodhaya, Tehri, Srinagar(Uttrakhand), Chandigarh and many other tourist places of Punjab & HP; Mumbai (as Hub) to Shirdi, Lonavala, Ganpatipule; Surat (as Hub) to Dwarka, Mandvi & Kandla; Khindsi Dam, Nagpur & Erai Dam, Chandrapur (in Maharashtra).

The new seaplane services will significantly improve connectivity and offer means of a faster and more comfortable mode of transportation across the nation. It will save travel time in hilly regions and across rivers and lakes. Employment opportunities will also increase thereby contributing to the country’s GDP.

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