Issues with Directorate General of Civil Aviation likely to stall seaplane project in Mumbai

Mumbaikars will have to wait  longer to enjoy a ride on the seaplane which will take passengers from the Juhu airport to various spots in the city and state.

The project is reportedly entangled in problems with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Moreover, Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd (Mehair), the project operator, has not paid facilitation fees amounting to lakhs of rupees to Juhu airport, further delaying the project.

The prestigious project, backed by the state, was supposed to be launched by the start of this year. Even a trial run was completed, with a seaplane taking off from Juhu and successfully landing at the water aerodrome in Aamby Valley.

Sources said the technical issues being faced with the DGCA are expected to be resolved within the next two to three weeks as both the state and Mehair are keen to kickstart the project before the announcement of the model code of conduct preceding the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Industry insiders said that Mehair has not been able to pay the fees as it is waiting to get its due from the Andaman and Nicobar tourism authorities, where the company runs a similar project. Mehair CEO-director Siddharth Verma was unavailable for comment.

The first phase is being planned between Juhu airport and Girgaum Chowpatty to target the working executives and tourists. At a cost of Rs750 (one way), passengers will be able to fly to Girgaum within a few minutes, as opposed to the hour-long journey by road. Similar services will be available from Juhu airport to Bhandardara, Shirdi and Navi Mumbai.