Lok Sabha Question No. 3008 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-07
Subject: Seaplane Service under UDAN
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Khagen Murmu, Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara, Shri Alok Sharma, Shri Praveen Patel, Shri Dilip Saikia, Shri Tejasvi Surya, Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Shri Chandan Chauhan, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3008

(To be answered on the 7 th  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.

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