Whenever you think of seaplanes, Maldives strikes first in your mind. But this thought will soon change as India is on its way to introduce seaplanes for travellers. You will be surprised to know the seaplanes won't be just one but for a whopping 16 routes.
The first seaplane in India is slated to take off on October 31 2020. It will connect Sabarmati riverfront to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The new seaplane service has been applauded for being the first of its kind in the country and will involve a 19-seater seaplane. It can accommodate up to 12 passengers at a time.
The seaplane service has been initiated and is also a part of the Indian government's UDAN scheme and it aspires to promote tourism in the country.
UDAN is a regional airport development scheme initiated by the Indian government to bring about smooth connectivity between states.
The scheme also plans to build more water aerodromes, which will facilitate landing and take-off for the said seaplanes to be made available at various places across the country. Presently, there are ten such sites in the country.
Following 10 sites of water aerodromes are spread across the country:-
- Statue of Unity, Gujarat
- Shatrunjay Dam, Gujarat
- Sabarmati Riverfront, Gujarat
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Telangana
- Prakasam Barrage, Andhra Pradesh
- Umrangsao Reservoir, Assam
- Brahmputra Riverfront, Assam
- Long Island, Andaman & Nicobar
- Swaraj Dweep, Andaman & Nicobar
- Shaheed Dweep, Andaman & Nicobar
The service is also expected in Uttarakhand on the Yamuna to Tupper Dam stretch.