Seaplane services in Vizag can become reality: Centre

Visakhapatnam: To improve aerial connectivity to remote locations and make travel affordable, the Narendra Modi government has sanctioned 28 seaplane routes under the UDAN scheme. For this purpose, 14 water aerodromes are being constructed in six states and Union Territories at a cost of Rs. 287 crore, Gen. V.K Singh, the minister of state for civil aviation, said in reply to a question asked by Rajya Sabha MP G.V.L Narasimha Rao.

The list of 14 water aerodromes includes one each in Andhra Pradesh (Prakasam barrage in Vijayawada) and Telangana (Nagarjunasagar reservoir) at a cost of Rs. 20 crores each.

When asked whether the Central government would be willing to consider proposals for UDAN seaplane and helicopter operations from the new Visakhapatnam cruise terminal, the minister answered in the affirmative and said the ministry would be willing to consider proposals if submitted by airline operators under the UDAN scheme in future rounds of bidding for new routes.

Speaking on the issue, G.V.L Narasimha Rao, Rajya Sabha MP, said the Andhra Pradesh government must invite airline operators and offer concessions to bid for seaplane and helicopter services from Visakhapatnam. As cruise tourism has already received a positive response in Visakhapatnam, seaplane and helicopter services should be promoted in a big way to promote regional connectivity and tourism, he said. Seaplane services to places like Bhimavaram, Kakinada, would greatly improve connectivity and boost business tourism in a big way, the MP observed. He further said that he would pursue this issue with the Union minister for civil aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia.