Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated India’s first seaplane service is scheduled for a take off from Sabarmati riverfront to the Statue of Unity on October 31, if everything follows as per planned.
SpiceJet, is on the verge of receiving a sea plane for venture from Maldives, which is anticipated to arrive India on October 26 for the first routine service at 205 km stretch. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had travelled using a seaplane from Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.
The shipping minister revealed to the PTI agency, “The first seaplane service in the country is likely to be launched on October 31 from Sabarmati riverfront to Statue of Unity which will be a new beginning for the country… Infrastructure is ready for it on both the sides including the floating jetty.” Benefits will be added to the air carrier as per following the Udaan scheme of government, he said.
The minister further added, “Once launched this will give a major boost to tourism.”
Mandaviya further revealed once the service is instituted, routine services will be proposed and planned for several routes which includes Guwahati, Andaman and Nicobar and Yamuna to Tupper Dam in Uttarakhand.
Earlier in July, the Gujarat government had passed for a proposal regarding tri-party agreement between Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India to construct four water aerodromes based on regional connectivity scheme for seaplane service. A water aerodrome, also known as seaplane base is an open water area utilized by the sea planes, float planes and amphibious aircrafts for landing and taking off.
