The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop seaplane services in India. As per MoU, a co-ordination committee with officials of both ministries to be set up for timely completion of operationalisation of seaplane services at various locations.
This MoU is a major milestone for making seaplanes project a reality very soon.
Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya said that signing of the MoU will be a game changer both for Indian Maritime and Civil Aviation sector. 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.
Union Minister of State Civil Aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri said that this MoU between the two Ministries will help in expediting the development of new water aerodromes and also operationalisation 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.
MoPSW would identify and develop waterfront infrastructure of aerodromes/locations and obtain required statutory clearances /approvals in coordination with MoCA, DGCA and AAI. The ministry will define the timelines for all activities involved in the development of facilities for starting seaplanes operations.
In the case of MoCA, it would carry out bidding and select potential airlines operators based on their commercial consideration through bidding process, incorporating the locations/routes as identified by MoPSW and routes identified through bidding process in UDAN scheme document. The civil aviation ministry will provide funds or financial support in the case of water aerodromes awarded under RCS-UDAN scheme and coordinate with chief secretaries of all states for the seaplanes operations.
