Centre Allocates Rs 200 cr for Sea Planes Project In AP
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu travelled in the sea plane run between Vijayawada Berm Park and Srisailam last year, as part of trial run. As the state has a long coast, the CM has directed for running the sea planes in as many places as possible. Accordingly, the officials had proposed sea plane projects in nine other places
The Andhra Pradesh tourism department has received a push for the launch of the Sea Plane project in the state. The Centre allocated Rs 200 crore under Udan scheme to run sea planes in 10 places in the state. Each of the places was allotted Rs 20 crore for establishing the aerodrome, floating jetty and providing other infrastructure. The state airport development authority would take up the works related to the project.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu travelled in the sea plane run between Vijayawada Berm Park and Srisailam last year, as part of trial run. As the state has a long coast, the CM has directed for running the sea planes in as many places as possible. Accordingly, the officials had proposed sea plane projects in nine other places.
With the Centre releasing the funds, land is being acquired the project. The officials are trying to get the necessary permissions from the civil aviation ministry, Indian Airports Authority (IAA) CRZ Authority and environment authorities. Once the clearances are taken, interested private operators would be invited for running the sea planes.
Reportedly, two organisations had already shown interest in the project.
The Centre extends help to the air services to compensate for the unfilled seats in aircrafts. Similar financial assistance would be given to sea planes too, for some time.
The state government has taken up the responsibility for inviting private operators to run the sea planes. Plans are afoot to run the sea planes under the Public-Private Partnership.
The sea planes would land and take off from water only. Jetties would be arranged to enable the tourists embark and deboard the seaplane. A passenger terminal, similar to a small airport, would be arranged to provide space for a ticket counter, waiting hall and security checks.
Sea planes have been planned at Vijayawada, Srisailam, Tirupati, Suryalanka, Gandhikota, Kakinanda, Visakhapatnam, Araku, Lambasingi, and Polavaram.
