The Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, who is on a two-day visit to Meghalaya, today attended a Seaplane Demo launch at Umiam Lake, Ri Bhoi district and expressed admiration for the natural beauty of Meghalaya, aptly known as the “abode of clouds.” He attended the launch along with the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conrad K Sangma.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya for making this event possible and highlighted the demonstration’s importance as both a technological achievement and a tribute to India’s connectivity vision.

Reflecting on the inaugural seaplane journey taken by the Prime Minister in 2020 from the Statue of Unity to Ahmedabad, the Minister noted that this was not just a symbolic flight but a powerful message on unity and accessibility. The Minister stated, “Seaplanes have the unique potential to connect hard-to-reach destinations, boost tourism, and uplift local economies across the nation. Today’s demonstration embodies the spirit of cooperation between the Central Government and Meghalaya under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.”

During his address, the Minister outlined new initiatives to make seaplane operations accessible and efficient under the UDAN scheme focused specifically on seaplanes. With new guidelines allowing for smoother operations, including non-scheduled operator permits and eliminating the need for water licenses at water aerodromes, the Ministry aims to make seaplanes a regular feature of India’s aviation landscape.

Additionally, the Minister underscored the potential for seaplanes to foster tourism, especially in Meghalaya. “With Meghalaya’s breathtaking landscape, seaplane connectivity can attract tourists not just from India but from around the world, transforming the state’s tourism sector,” he added.

Comparing India’s potential with established seaplane networks in countries like Maldives and Canada, where thousands of passengers benefit from seaplane services annually, the Minister expressed confidence in India’s capacity to establish a thriving seaplane industry. The Ministry is actively working to facilitate partnerships with industry leaders and state governments, supporting the growth of seaplane routes through funding and technical support.

The Minister underlined about India’s long coastline and extensive network of rivers and lakes which present a unique opportunity for the development of seaplane operations in the country. The extension of the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the RCS to seaplane operations would provide the initial fillip to the Operators, he added. He appealed to the government of other Northeastern states to come forward and avail the benefits of seaplane operations in their respective states.

The Minister further announced plans for collaboration with Indian manufacturers like HAL and Mahindra Aerospace to boost domestic seaplane production. “We aim to make India self-sufficient in seaplane manufacturing, creating jobs and fostering innovation in the aviation sector,” he said.

On a personal note, the Minister reflected on the strong connections between his family and the Chief Minister’s, noting that their fathers had served together in the Parliament and shared a commitment to national development. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for the ongoing development of Shillong Airport and the Tura Airport to further enhance Meghalaya’s air connectivity.

Todays demonstration seaplane is an aircraft by the manufacturer DeHavilland from Canada. The Minister appreciated the strength of the seaplane terming it an amphibian aircraft which can land on land, water and other difficult terrains. “The possibilities of using this plane is unlimited, it is upto our imagination to decide where you want to take off and where you want to land,” he added.

The Minister is also attending the 6th Helicopters & Small Aircraft Summit being organised in Shillong by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India with the support of Government of Meghalaya and in association with the Pawan Hans Ltd. & FICCI.

On November 15, Shri Kinjarapu will continue his engagements by attending the 2nd North East Aviation Summit and participating in the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas celebrations at the State Central Library in Shillong.

The programme at the Umiam Lake was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, MLA Umroi Damanbait Lamare and other senior officials of the Central and State Government.

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