AP starts seaplane operations from Prakasam Barrage to Srisailam

Amaravati: For the first time in Andhra Pradesh, the tourism department has started seaplane operations from Prakasam Barrage to Srisailam. On Saturday, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched a seaplane demo flight operation from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada to Srisailam in Nandyal district.

CM Naidu boards seaplane

Addressing a meeting after the launch of the demo flight at Punnami Ghat on the Krishna River in Vijayawada, he said, “This (seaplane demo flight) is a new experiment. I am very happy. If anything new happens in the country, it should happen in Amaravati. We are going ahead with that motto.”

Later, the chief minister boarded the seaplane, accompanied by Union Civil Aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu and others and set off for the temple town.

Opportunity for economic development

According to CM Naidu, seaplane services would be an opportunity to promote economic activities and create employment. He said that prime minister Narendra Modi has come forward to promote seaplane operations in the Southern State, which does not require expensive infrastructure for a regular airport.

With seaplane services, the State government aims to position Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of India’s water-based aviation sector. The chief minister observed that innovative ideas will remove poverty and generate income which can fund welfare activities.

Central interest in seaplanes

Earlier, Ram Mohan Naidu said a new chapter is being opened in Andhra Pradesh, adding that seaplane operations will not only change the future of the State but also India.

Though seaplane operations were tried earlier, the aviation minister noted that they did not take off due to Covid and other reasons and highlighted that CM Naidu suggested the potential of seaplanes.

According to the Union minister, seaplane services are also important for PM Modi and reminded that they were tried earlier in Gujarat.

Establishing water aerodromes

APADCL to enhance Andhra Pradesh’s role in India’s aviation sector by modernising airport infrastructure, fostering aviation-related industries and promoting public-private partnerships (PPP) introduced seaplanes, which adds a new dimension to the State’s aviation landscape.

In this, Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), GoI is proposing the development of water aerodromes to support seaplane services.

Launched in 2017, the UDAN-RCS initiative aims to boost regional air connectivity, with seaplanes included as an integral part of the plan. The scheme offers subsidies for flights to underserved and unserved regions, making seaplanes a crucial element in expanding access to these areas.

Seaplane services at eight locations in AP

Amid overall worldwide growth of aviation industry, India is also witnessing tremendous growth in aircraft operations. Under RCS–UDAAN Scheme, AAI has proposed the development of seaplane services across strategic locations having large water bodies, across the country. One such location selected by the AAI is Prakasam Barrage in Andhra Pradesh.

Seaplane operations in Andhra Pradesh hold great potential due to its beautiful waterfronts and long coastline.

Andhra Pradesh has identified eight key locations for seaplane services including Prakasam Barrage Araku, Lambasingi, Rushikonda, Kakinada, Konaseema Srisailam and Tirupati.