The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for developing seaplane services in India.

This MoU envisions the development of scheduled or non-scheduled work of seaplane services within the territorial authority of India under the RCS-UDAN scheme of the government.

According to MoU, the establishment of a committee with executives of MoSPW, MoCA, and Ministry of Tourism (MoT), for timely completion of operationalisation of Seaplane services at different locations.

MoCA, MoPSW, SDCL will consider operationalising Seaplane operating routes as recommended or identified by all agencies.

MoPSW would identify and construct the waterfront infrastructure of Aerodromes or locations and get required statutory approvals in coordination with DGCA, MoCA, and AAI by setting the timelines for each activity involved in the development facilities for beginning seaplanes operations.

MoCA would carry bidding and choose potential airlines operators based on their commercial consideration via a bidding process, incorporating the locations as identified by MoPSW and routes recognised through the bidding procedure in the UDAN scheme document.

MoCA is obliged to give financial support in honour of water aerodromes granted under the RCS-UDAN scheme and coordinate with the Chief secretaries of each state for the seaplanes operations.

The Minister of State (I/C) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, said that the signing of this MoU would be a game-changer for both Indian Maritime and Civil Aviation sector.

As it will improve seamless connectivity over the nation by supporting eco-friendly transportation by seaplanes and provide a boost to the tourism sector.

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Also read: Govt plans to launch seaplane operations