Airports Authority of India, Directorate General of Civil Aviation team to visit Ahmedabad

A team of experts from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will be in the city to conduct a pre-feasibility study for seaplane project.

The chairman of AAI on Monday wrote to the state government apprising of their plans to set up water aerodromes in India and seeking their support. Interestingly, the letter, issued on Monday coincides with a controversy that was raked up during the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) board meeting when Leader of Opposition alleged that the Prime Minister used the seaplane only to woo the voters. LOP's Dinesh Sharma's statement came after the officials informed that there was no plan for infrastructure development for seaplane project.

In the letter written to the state government, Mohapatra wrote: The Airports Authority of India plans to set up Water Aerodromes in India. After exploring various possibilities, following sites have been shortlisted for a pre-feasibility study for starting seaplane/amphibious aircraft operation in Gujarat.

Sabarmati riverfront to Dharoi dam connecting Ambaji, Sabarmati riverfront to Statue of Unity (Sardar Sarovar dam) and Tapi riverfornt to Statue of Unity. In January 2017, DNA had reported that to boost aviation, the government had planned seaplane connectivity across Gujarat.

WHAT’S THE PLAN

A team comprising AAI, DGCA and SpiceJet officials will visit from June 18-20. The support of local administration particularly services of meteorological and Hydrological depa-rtments of the state government would be required for study.