MoU to help in expediting the development of new water aerodromes and also operationalization of new seaplane routes in India : says Shri Hardeep Puri
MoU to enhance seamless connectivity across the nation by promoting eco-friendly transportation through Seaplanes and to give a boost to the tourism sector: says Mansukh Mandaviya
New Delhi, NFAPost: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways signed an MoU with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for the development of Sea Plane services in India.
Minister of State (I/C) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Hardeep Singh Puri were present during the MoU signing ceremony held here today.
The signing of this MoU is a major milestone for making the seaplanes project a reality very soon. This MoU envisages the development of Non-Scheduled/Scheduled operation of seaplane services within the territorial jurisdiction of India under RCS-UDAN scheme of the government of India.
As per MoU, a Co-ordination Committee with officials of Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), and Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is to be set up for timely completion of operationalisation of Seaplane services at various locations. MoCA, MoPSW, SDCL will consider operationalising of Seaplane operating routes as identified/suggested by all agencies.
MoPSW would identify and develop waterfront infrastructure of Aerodromes/ locations and obtain required statutory clearances /approvals in coordination with MoCA, DGCA and AAI by defining the timelines for all activities involved in the development of facilities for starting seaplanes operations.
MoCA would carry out bidding and select potential airline operators based on their commercial consideration through bidding process, incorporate the locations/routes as identified by MoPSW & routes identified through bidding process in UDAN scheme document.
The civil aviation ministry is also obliged to provide funds/financial support in respect of water aerodromes awarded under RCS-UDAN scheme and coordinate with Chief Secretaries of all States for the Seaplanes operations.
On the occasion, Minister of State(IC) for Civil Aviation Hardeep S Puri stated that this MoU between the two Ministries will help in expediting the development of new water aerodromes and also operationalization of new seaplane routes in India.
Hardeep S Puri further stated that this will give a big fillip to the provision of a new kind of tourism service in India.
Speaking on this occasion, Minister of State (I/C) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya stated that signing of this MoU will be a game-changer both for Indian Maritime and Civil Aviation sector.
“It will not only enhance seamless connectivity across the nation by promoting eco-friendly transportation through seaplanes but also give a boost to the tourism industry,” said Mansukh Mandaviya
