In what offers a major fillip to India’s seaplane project, two key ministries – the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ministry of Civil Aviation – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that envisages development of non-scheduled/scheduled operation of seaplane services within the territorial jurisdiction of India.
The seaplane initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2020 between the Sabarmati riverfront and the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. Seaplane services in the country are being planned under the RCS-UDAN scheme of the Government of India.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Civil Aviation (MoCA).
The MoU mandates the setting up of a co-ordination committee with officials from MoCA, MoPSW as well as the Ministry of Tourism (MoT). This committee will ensure the timely completion of operationalisation of seaplane services at various locations in the country.
The signing of the MoU will be a game changer both for Indian maritime and civil aviation sectors 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, said Minister Mandaviya.
Minister Puri, on the other hand, said the MoU between the two ministries will help in expediting the development of new water aerodromes and also operationalisation of new seaplane routes in India. This will give a big fillip to the provision of a new kind of tourism service in India.
Puri also tweeted that 28 seaplane routes have already been awarded under RCS-UDAN, and 14 water aerodromes based in Gujarat, Assam, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar islands & Lakshadweep at a cost of INR 450 crore are at various stages of development. Bids are under evaluation for 78 more seaplane routes, the Minister tweeted.
As per the agreement, MoPSW would identify and develop water front infrastructure of aerodromes/locations and obtain required statutory clearances and approvals in coordination with MoCA, DGCA and AAI by defining the timelines for all activities involved in the development of facilities for starting seaplanes operations.
MoCA would carry out bidding and select potential airlines operators based on their commercial consideration through a bidding process, incorporate the locations/routes as identified by MoPSW & routes identified through bidding process in UDAN scheme document.
Funds/financial support in respect of water aerodromes awarded under RCS-UDAN scheme will be provided by MoCA. The ministry will also coordinate with Chief Secretaries of all States for the seaplanes operations.