If things move as per plans, Delhi, Mumbai and Surat will soon get new seaplane routes. The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) recently announced its plans of adding 10 new seaplane routes to the existing portfolio and Delhi, Mumbai and Surat feature on this plan, prominently! By Kumar Shree
On October 31, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s maiden seaplane service between Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad and the Statue of Unity, Kevadia. And, on January 04, 2021, MoPSW declared that it will launch 10 new seaplane routes in India. Delhi, Mumbai and Surat come across as the most prominent destinations on the new roster. Other destinations include Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep; Umranso Reservoir and Guwahati Riverfront in Assam; Srinagar in Uttarakhand; Chandigarh; Nagpur and others. Destinations such as Delhi and Mumbai will be developed as hubs for transportation to Ayodhya and Shirdi, respectively.
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Prospective airline operators will implement the project under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework. And, the Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL), which operates under the administrative control of the MoPSW, will execute the project.
The official statement issued by the Ministry states, “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.”
The Ministry also tweeted about the development of this initiative and listed a few benefits of the project. The tweet says that the seaplane project will promote tourism, connectivity, and accessibility; save travel time; and facilitate travel to religious locations sitting in remote areas.
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 locationsRead: https://t.co/CHHkcphAkR pic.twitter.com/k0nOTMElsO
— Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) January 4, 2021
It seems like religious or spiritual tourism in India will soon get a massive boost with undertones of renewed luxury.
Related: SpiceJet To Operate India’s First Seaplane Flight From Sabarmati To The Statue Of Unity
