Sources in aviation sector say the tendering process for seaplane connectivity is yet to be undertaken
Amdavadis were treated to the sight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking off in a seaplane from Sabarmati riverfront to Dharoi Dam to offer prayers at Ambaji temple on Tuesday, the last day of campaigning before the second phase. This has given Amdavadis hope of travelling by a seaplane themselves in the near future, but little do they know that though a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding this connectivity was signed at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit this year, nothing concrete has happened after that.
DNA had reported in January that to boost aviation, the government had planned seaplane connectivity — wherever there is a water body — across Gujarat.
An MoU was signed between Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Ltd (GUJSAIL) and Supreme Airlines to promote this new mode of transport. Speaking to DNA, Captain Akash Agarwal, vice-president, Supreme Airlines, had said, "We will start operations by April this year from the Sabarmati riverfront, and thereafter connect various other destinations. Aviation enthusiasts can enjoy joy rides or use it to commute to tourist spots surrounded by water. We will invest Rs 40 crore. As of now, we operate in Rajasthan."
However, since there has been no talks this since then. Sources in aviation sector say the tendering process for seaplane connectivity is yet to be undertaken. "The MoU was signed with Supreme Airlines, which presently operates between Ahmedabad and Jodhpur," says a source. "Perhaps they are looking for land and will begin the tendering process after that. As of now, nothing has happened on that front."
Speaking about PM's seaplane, highly-placed sources said, "The entire arrangement was made by the Centre in partnership with SpiceJet. The central government intends to implement seaplane connectivity across the country. A demonstration was conducted recently in Mumbai and today (on Tuesday), there was another demonstration."
"To implement amphibian planes," informed another source, "firstly, a jetty is required, and then the necessary infrastructure. Once these are in place, various permissions will have to be sought."
TWITTER JIBE
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah questioned the PM’s protocol on Twitter. “How is it that the security guidelines were relaxed for this flight? No Z+ protectee is allowed to fly in a single engine aircraft.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Seaplane")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}