Shillong: The Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, today launched a seaplane demonstration at Umiam Lake, Ri Bhoi district, as part of his two-day visit to Meghalaya. The event, attended by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K Sangma, showcased the potential of seaplanes to boost connectivity, tourism, and local economies in the region.
During his address, the Union Minister expressed his admiration for Meghalaya’s stunning natural beauty, referring to the state as the “abode of clouds.” He also expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Sangma for facilitating the event, emphasizing its significance as both a technological achievement and a step forward in India’s connectivity vision.
Reflecting on the Prime Minister’s 2020 inaugural seaplane journey from the Statue of Unity to Ahmedabad, Minister Naidu highlighted the broader message of unity and accessibility that the flight represented. He stated, “Seaplanes have the unique potential to connect hard-to-reach destinations, boost tourism, and uplift local economies across the nation.” He further emphasized the spirit of collaboration between the Central Government and the Meghalaya Government, led by Chief Minister Sangma, to enhance regional connectivity.
The Union Minister also outlined new initiatives under the UDAN scheme, aimed at improving seaplane operations. Key measures include non-scheduled operator permits and the removal of the need for water licenses at water aerodromes, making seaplane services more accessible and efficient. These reforms are expected to pave the way for regular seaplane operations, further expanding India’s aviation landscape.
Minister Naidu expressed particular optimism about the role of seaplanes in fostering tourism in Meghalaya. “With Meghalaya’s breathtaking landscape, seaplane connectivity can attract tourists from not just India but from around the world, transforming the state’s tourism sector,” he added. He also noted that India has the potential to emulate successful seaplane networks seen in Maldives and Canada, where seaplane services connect thousands of passengers annually.
Highlighting India’s extensive coastline, rivers, and lakes, the Minister pointed out the significant opportunity to develop seaplane operations nationwide. The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the RCS scheme would provide the necessary boost to seaplane operators, he said, encouraging other Northeastern states to embrace seaplane services to strengthen regional connectivity.
In a significant development, the Minister also announced plans for collaboration with Indian manufacturers such as HAL and Mahindra Aerospace to promote domestic seaplane production. “Our goal is to make India self-sufficient in seaplane manufacturing, creating jobs and fostering innovation in the aviation sector,” he remarked.
Today’s demonstration featured a DeHavilland seaplane from Canada, an amphibious aircraft capable of landing on land, water, and other challenging terrains. Minister Naidu praised the aircraft’s versatility, saying, “The possibilities of using this plane are unlimited—it’s up to our imagination to decide where you want to take off and where you want to land.”
The Union Minister also shared a personal note, recalling the strong ties between his family and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s, noting that their fathers had served together in Parliament and shared a deep commitment to national development. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for the ongoing development of Shillong Airport and Tura Airport, which will further enhance air connectivity to Meghalaya.
The event at Umiam Lake was attended by Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, MLA Umroi Damanbait Lamare, and other senior officials from both the Central and State Governments.
On the second day of his visit, Minister Naidu will continue his engagements by attending the 6th Helicopters & Small Aircraft Summit in Shillong and participating in the 2nd North East Aviation Summit. Additionally, he will join the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas celebrations at the State Central Library in Shillong.