Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated India’s first seaplane service between the Statue of Unity site at Kevadiya Colony to the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, marking the 145th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The DHC6-300 seaplane Twin Otter is leased from national airline Maldivian and is operated in India by Spicejet. Maldivian flight crew is to assist in this seaplane operation.
The Gujarat government in July this year had cleared a proposal to enter into a tri-party agreement with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the construction of four water aerodromes under the regional connectivity scheme for seaplane service.
The seaplane will cut travel time and improve connectivity between the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, which is approximately 90 km from Vadodara, 150 km from Surat, and 200 km from Ahmedabad.