Executive Summary:
This document is a response to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding the progress of seaplane services under the UDAN scheme. It details the current status of the scheme, including the number of routes awarded, support for water aerodrome development, coordination with state governments, and future considerations for coastal regions and North-Eastern states. The information provided reflects the Ministry of Civil Aviation's efforts to promote regional connectivity through seaplane operations.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Seaplane Route Development:**
* Under the RCS-UDAN 3.0 scheme, 30 seaplane routes have been awarded, connecting identified water aerodromes.
* **Financial and Operational Support:**
* The 'Revival of airports/heliport/water aerodrome' Scheme provides funds for water aerodrome development.
* Expenditure for development works is reimbursed to the owner/developer of the water aerodrome.
* No water aerodrome has been identified for development in Maharashtra and Karnataka under the Scheme to date.
* **Government Coordination and Support:**
* The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) supports State Governments, including those in the North Eastern States, in water aerodrome development.
* Support is provided through stakeholder consultations and workshops with DGCA, BCAS, airlines, and manufacturers.
* MoCA facilitates regulatory approvals, addresses safety and operational issues, shares technical know-how, and coordinates with central agencies.
* **Future Expansion:**
* Bidding rounds are conducted periodically to cover more destinations/stations and routes under the RCS-UDAN Scheme.
* Interested airlines submit proposals based on their assessment of demand on particular routes.
Impact Analysis:
* **Airlines:**
* *Impact:* Airlines are provided with opportunities to propose and operate seaplane services on identified routes under the UDAN scheme.
* *Action Required:* Assess demand on particular routes and submit proposals during UDAN bidding rounds.
* **State Governments:**
* *Impact:* State Governments receive support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation for water aerodrome development and regulatory approvals.
* *Action Required:* Collaborate with MoCA, participate in stakeholder consultations, and streamline approval processes for seaplane services.
* **Water Aerodrome Owners/Developers:**
* *Impact:* Owners/developers can receive financial reimbursement for development works under the 'Revival of airports/heliport/water aerodrome' Scheme.
* *Action Required:* Participate in the UDAN bidding process, develop water aerodromes according to regulations, and seek reimbursement for eligible expenses.
* **Citizens:**
* *Impact:* Improved regional connectivity through the establishment of seaplane routes.
* *Action Required:* Avail of the opportunity for improved connectivity as it becomes available in different regions.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and policies relating to civil aviation in India.
UDAN: Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) is a regional airport development and Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of the Government of India.
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation: A government of Maharashtra agency responsible for the development of tourism in Maharashtra, India.
Karnataka: A state in South India.
Assam: A state in North East India.
North Eastern States: Refers to the group of states in the North East region of India.
DGCA: Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India.
BCAS: Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. It is an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, responsible for civil aviation security in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3008
th
(To be answered on the 7 August 2025)
SEAPLANE SERVICE UNDER UDAN
3008. SHRI ALOK SHARMA
SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL
SHRI DILIP SAIKIA
SHRI TEJASVI SURYA
SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA
SHRI KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT
SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN
SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA
SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI
SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO
SHRI KHAGEN MURMU
DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether 100 seaplane routes have been identified under the UDAN scheme
and if so, the details thereof along with the number of the said routes targeted
to be made operational by 2026;
(b) whether any financial or operational support is being provided to the
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) for the setting up
of water aerodromes and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Union Government is coordinating with State Governments to
streamline the approval process for seaplane services and if so, the details
thereof along with the improvements made in this regard compared to earlier
efforts;
(d) whether any feasibility study has been conducted or proposed to be
conducted by the Government for launching seaplane services along the
coastal region of Karnataka, particularly connecting Mangaluru in Dakshina
Kannada with other key coastal or island destinations;
(e) if so, the details and the current status thereof; and
(f) whether the Government proposes to consider covering Assam and other
North-Eastern States under this initiative on priority and if so, the details
thereof?ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): Ministry of Civil Aviation introduced seaplane operations from water
aerodromes (WA) under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh Ka
Aam Nagrik 3.0 (RCS-UDAN 3.0). During various rounds of bidding, 30 valid
seaplane routes have been awarded, connecting identified water aerodromes.
(b) to (f): Under the RCS-UDAN Scheme, bidding rounds are conducted from
time to time to cover more destinations/stations and routes. Based on their
assessment of demand on particular routes, interested airlines submit their
proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN. Once a water-body is identified
for connectivity and development of a water-aerodrome through the UDAN
bidding round, the same is taken up for allocation of funds under the 'Revival
of airports/heliport/water aerodrome' Scheme and the expenditure for
development works is reimbursed to the concerned owner/developer of the
water aerodrome.
Till date, no water aerodrome has been identified for development in
Maharashtra and Karnataka under the Scheme.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is supporting State Governments,
including the North Eastern States, in water aerodrome development through
stakeholder consultations and workshops with DGCA, BCAS, airlines, and
manufacturers. It facilitates regulatory approvals, addresses safety and
operational issues, shares technical know-how, and coordinates with central
agencies to align technical, regulatory, and financial aspects.
*****