In the realm of Srinagar, the government of Jammu and Kashmir is orchestrating the introduction of a subsidized aquatic aircraft service betwixt the enchanting Dal Lake in Srinagar and the idyllic Manasbal in Ganderbal. The stewardship of this service is entrusted to the Mumbai-based Maritime Energy Heli Airservices Pvt Ltd (MEHAIR).
The luminary Secretary of the indigenous Civil Aviation Department, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, has issued categorical directives to the functionaries to expedite the conclusive endorsements, particularly accentuating their scrutiny regarding the repercussions on irrigation and flood control. Eminent authorities corroborated to ETV Bharat that the dimensions of security are undergoing meticulous evaluations. The conceptualization within the administrative echelons perceives that a seamless link betwixt these two aesthetically pleasing lakes will further augment the burgeoning tourism, a phenomenon steadily flourishing in the locale.
An official representing the government articulated, “MEHAIR stands as a vanguard in the domain of aquatic aircraft, and the machinations are in progress to grace the firmament of Kashmir. They have proffered assurances regarding a singularly powered aeroplane, capacitating nine passengers and two aviators, which shall be commissioned in the maiden phase for the Kashmir demesne.”
Simultaneously, a spokesperson from MEHAIR conveyed to ETV Bharat, “The governmental stratagem encompasses the inclusion of dedicated seaplane corridors under the imminent subsidization regimen, UDAN 5.3. Our vision is calibrated towards territories like Andaman, Lakshadweep, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and other states where the logistical viability for seaplanes is pronounced.”
“The focal point for the Government of India resides in the augmentation of tourism and the holistic advancement of Kashmir, and seaplanes have manifest as a riveting choice for interconnecting diverse lakes in the region, commencing with the renowned Dal and Manasbal lakes. In this context, we have obtained official authorization for aircraft parking in the vicinity. Once the entirety of permissions is secured, the seaplanes under MEHAIR’s aegis will majestically ascend into the skies of Kashmir, catalyzing tourism and the economic evolution of the vicinity,” appended the representative.
Providing intricate particulars about the aircraft, he elucidated, “Our stratagem involves the deployment of the Cessna (singular turboprop) C208 Grand Caravan in the topography of Kashmir. A total of ten units were requisitioned, inclusive of two configured with floats (rudders), and the others fitted with fixed gears. Eight of these have already been consigned, with the remaining duo anticipated for delivery by the denouement of the ongoing year.”
Despite the plethora of apropos aquatic passages and regions in dire need of such services, the Indian landscape has hitherto not witnessed the advent of commercial seaplane operations. A foray was attempted by SpiceJet in the fiscal year 2020-21, endeavoring to inaugurate a scheduled trajectory in Gujarat. Regrettably, this endeavor was transiently activated but soon suspended, and since then, it has languished without further revisitation.
