Big Boost To Regional Connectivity: 14 Water Aerodromes Awarded Across The Country Under UDAN Scheme

Civil Aviation Ministry has introduced seaplane operations from water aerodromes under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik).

Airports Authority of India (AAI), the implementing agency has awarded 14 water aerodromes under UDAN across the country -

• Sardar Sarovar Dam (Statue of Unity), Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad

• Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), Shaheed Dweep (Neill Island), Long Island, Port Blair in Andaman & Nicobar Islands,

• Guwahati riverfront and Umrangso Reservoir in Assam

• NagarjunaSagar Dam in Telangana

• Prakasam Barrage in Andhra Pradesh and

• Minicoy, Kavaratti, Agatti in Lakshadweep Islands.

Out of these water aerodromes, Sardar Sarovar Dam (Statue of Unity) and Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad have been operationalised on 31 October 2020. The airline operating the seaplanes comply with the extant provisions of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR)/guidelines for safety norms.

However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the seaplane operations which commenced on 31October 2020 were suspended.

Airports Authority of India has informed that Rs 287 crore have been sanctioned for 14 water aerodromes and an expenditure of Rs 18.73 crore has been incurred so far.

A total of 115 RCS helicopter routes have been awarded under RCS-UDAN scheme out of which 36 routes have been operationalised.

As per provisions in the UDAN scheme, helicopter operations are permissible only in priority areas such as Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, North Eastern Region states, Andaman Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Twenty-eight seaplane routes connecting 14 water aerodromes and 115 RCS helicopter routes have been awarded.

No airline has submitted any bid from Visakhapatnam cruise terminal for UDAN seaplane and helicopter operations so far. Further, Pawan Hans Limited has been awarded 70 routes by AAI under RCS UDAN.

Also Read: Karnataka To Build Nine Water Aerodromes To Enhance Connectivity And Boost Tourism