On October 31, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first seaplane service in India between Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront and Kevadia’s Statue of Unity. Now, similar services will come up on select routes in other parts of India too. On January 4, 2021, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that it is initiating the process of commencing seaplane operations on select routes in Delhi, Mumbai, Surat and other destinations. The project implementation will be under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework through prospective airline operators. The Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (SDCL) will execute and implement the project. SDCL operates under the administrative control of the Ministry. Read on to know more.
Seaplanes On Select Indian Routes To Boost Tourism And Reduce Travel Time
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is preparing to launch seaplane services across various waterways in India. The launching will be on the lines of the country’s first seaplane service between Sabarmati Riverfront and Statue of Unity. The official statement reads, “Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is initiating the process of commencing operations of the Seaplane services, on the select routes, under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework through prospective airline operators. The project execution and implementation would be through Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (SDCL), which is under the administrative control of the Ministry.” Meanwhile, Hyderabad’s Hussain Sagar will get 80-seater electric cruises for an eco-friendly experience.
Ministry intends to start Sagarmala Seaplane Services on select routes
Benefits:
-Promote tourism for domestic & international tourists
-connectivity & easier accessibility
-Save travel time
-Incentivize travelling to remote religious locations
Read: https://t.co/CHHkcphAkR pic.twitter.com/k0nOTMElsO
— Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) January 4, 2021
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The Origin-Destination Pairs Under The Hub And Spoke Model
Speaking about the routes, the Ministry has said, “Several destinations are envisaged for seaplane operations. The proposed Origin-Destination pairs under Hub and Spoke model 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) and/or any other Hub & Spoke suggested by the Operator.”
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It has also added, “To provide connectivity and easier accessibility to remote locations, SDCL is exploring plans to leverage the potential of the vast coastline and numerous water bodies/rivers across India by commencing seaplane operations….. The seaplanes services will be a game-changer providing a supplementary means of faster and comfortable transportation across the nation. Apart from providing air connectivity to various remote religious/tourist places, it will boost tourism for domestic and international holidaymakers.” Meanwhile, did you know about Angriya, India’s first luxury cruise?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7SckCJHbSY&t=10s