Big Boost To Indian Tourism Industry: Govt To Expedite Development Of Sea Plane Services Across Country

The government will develop seaplane services in India by expediting the development of new water aerodromes and operationalisation of new seaplane routes, an official statement said on Tuesday (15 June).

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in this regard.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation Ministry Hardeep Singh Puri and MoS for Shipping Ministry Mansukh Mandaviya.

"This MoU envisages development of Non Scheduled/Scheduled operation of seaplane services within territorial jurisdiction of India under RCS-UDAN scheme of government of India," the Civil Aviation Ministry said in the statement.

As per the MoU, a coordination committee with officials from Ministries of Civil Aviation, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Tourism is to be set up for timely completion of operationalisation of seaplane services at various locations.

The Civil Aviation Ministry, Shipping Ministry and, SDCL will consider operationalising of Seaplane operating routes as identified, suggested by all agencies, the ministry said.

According to the statement, the Shipping Ministry would identify and develop water front infrastructure of Aerodromes or locations and obtain required statutory clearances or approvals in coordination with Civil Aviation Ministry, DGCA and AAI by defining the timelines for all activities involved in the development of facilities for starting seaplanes operations.

Civil Aviation Ministry would carry out bidding and select potential airlines operators based on their commercial consideration through bidding process, incorporate the locations or routes as identified by Shipping Ministyr and routes identified through bidding process in UDAN scheme document.

Civil Aviation Ministry is also obliged to provide funds or financial support in respect of water aerodromes awarded under RCS-UDAN scheme and coordinate with Chief Secretaries of all States for the Seaplanes operations, it said.

On the occasion, MoS Civil Aviation Hardeep Puris said that this MoU between the two ministries will help in expediting the development of new water aerodromes and also operationalization of new seaplane routes in India. He further stated that this will give a big fillip to the provision of a new kind of tourism service in India.

MoS for Shipping Ministry Mansukh Mandaviya stated that signing of this MoU will be a game changer both for Indian Maritime and Civil Aviation sector as it will not only enhance seamless connectivity across the nation by promoting eco-friendly transportation through Seaplanes but also give a boost to the tourism industry.