About:

• The project aims at 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).
  • The SDCL is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Shipping.
• The proposed Origin-Destination pairs under Hub and Spoke model include:
  • Islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep,
  • Guwahati Riverfront & Umranso Reservoir in Assam,
  • Yamuna Riverfront / Delhi (as Hub) to Ayodhaya, Tehri, Srinagar (Uttarakhand), Chandigarh and many other tourist places of Punjab & HP;
  • Mumbai (as Hub) to Shirdi, Lonavala, Ganpatipule;
  • Surat (as Hub) to Dwarka, Mandvi & Kandla, Khindsi Dam, Nagpur & Erai Dam and Chandrapur (in Maharashtra)

Significance of Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS)

• SDCL is exploring plans to leverage the potential of the vast coastline and numerous water bodies/rivers across India by commencing seaplane operations to provide connectivity and easier accessibility to remote locations.
• The Sea Plane will utilize the nearby water bodies for take-off and landing and thus connect those places in a much economical way as conventional airport infrastructure.
• The seaplanes services will be a game-changer providing a supplementary means of faster and comfortable transportation across the nation.
• It will boost tourism for domestic and international holidaymakers.
• It will save travel time and stimulate localized short distance travelling especially in the hilly regions or across the rivers/lakes etc.

Why in News?

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is starting the ambitious Project of Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS) with potential airline operators.

Reference:

1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1685966