After A Decade, Maharashtra To Revive Seaplane Services Connecting Mumbai & Pune To Remote Spots

Good news, people! It seems like the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is all set to relaunch seaplane services that were shut down in 2014. Reports suggest that the authorities have already identified several routes on which these seaplane services can be connected with Mumbai and Pune. They believe that this service will help boost tourism and improve regional connectivity within the state. Scroll on to know more about it.

Seaplane Services To Link Mumbai, Pune To Remote Sites In Maharashtra

According to The Indian Express, MTDC plans to revive its seaplane tourism project and connect Mumbai and Pune with remote but beautiful locations. So far, they have identified routes like Ganpatipule (Ratnagiri), Koyna Dam (Satara), Ujani Dam (Solapur), and Mandwa (Alibaug).

The authorities are now seeking interested bidders to operate the air transport service. With this revived seaplane operations, they hope to boost regional tourism, improve connectivity, and make remote locations more accessible. According to the tender document, they are looking for 9 to 19-seater single or twin-engine seaplanes or amphibious aircraft. They want seaplanes no older than 12 years and ones capable of landing on both land & water.

Back in 2014, Maharashtra launched seaplane services for the first time to connect key cities to remote destinations. Back then, they launched a small nine-seater seaplane between Mumbai and Pavana Dam near Lonavala. However, the project didn’t sustain for long. Due to approval delays and legal issues involving its partner, the state government had to wrap up the project.

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All You Need To Know About This Service

For the revived seaplane service project in Maharashtra, MTDC is better prepared. This time, they are focusing on routes that are more practical and likely to succeed. Also, they plan to use existing helipads and certified waterbodies for their operations.

The aim is to make tourist spots–from beaches and mountains to UNESCO heritage sites–more accessible for the people. While doing that, the authorities also plan to support local businesses and give people a bird’s-eye view of Maharashtra’s natural beauty. As per reports, the anticipated ticket prices for these seaplane rides will be around ₹4,000. MTDC expects an annual ridership of 50,000 to 70,000 passengers, soon after operations begin.

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So, are you excited to witness Maharashtra’s beauty from a bird’s view? Let us know in the comments.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)