Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday inaugurated the country’s first seaplane service in Gujarat and undertook a journey on its inaugural flight from Sardar Sarovar in Kevadia to the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.
The service – launched on the 145th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – connects the Statue of Unity at Kevadia with the Sabarmati riverfront and covers the 200km in 45 minutes.
The seaplane service was started by SpiceJet.
Modi also inaugurated a water aerodrome on the Sabarmati riverfront.
It is part of a series of water aerodromes planned to bring last-mile connectivity in the country.
Earlier, during his address on Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary, Modi said: “Today, seaplane service from the Sardar Sarovar to Sabarmati riverfront is also going to be launched. To see the Statue of Unity, countrymen will now also have the option of seaplane service. All these efforts are going to give a big boost to tourism in this area.”
Seaplanes with their ability to land and take off from water surface help connect geographies or regions that otherwise are a challenge owing to tough topography and help bring the remotest parts of India into the mainstream aviation network without the high cost incurred on building airports and runways.
These smaller fixed-wing airplanes can land on lakes and dams, and even gravel and grass, thus offering easy access to numerous tourist spots.
The service will be given incentives and benefits under the central government’s ‘Udaan’ scheme, which is getting implemented as per a tripartite agreement between the Gujarat government, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Airports Authority of India.
Earlier paying tributes to Patel, India’s first home minister, Modi said the “mission of reclaiming our cultural heritage in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh this year was started by Patel by ordering the reconstruction of the Somnath temple in Gujarat.”
Modi described the ‘Iron Man of India’ as the pioneer of India’s national unity and integrity and said, “130 crore countrymen are working together to build a strong and competent nation which promotes equality for all and has immense possibilities.”
Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu paid tributes to Patel.
The president visited Sardar Patel Chowk in New Delhi to pay homage before a statue of Patel.
The vice president said that Sardar Patel was the leader he admired the most.
In a Facebook post, Naidu recalled the great contributions made by Patel and urged the people, particularly the younger generation, to revisit his legacy and remember his unparalleled contribution to building a modern India.
Naidu praised Patel for his monumental achievement of unifying India.
He recalled how at a critical juncture, Patel used his sagacity, ingenuity, skill, experience and grit to safeguard India’s territorial unity and integrity.
“Through meticulous planning, negotiations, counselling, and tactful handling, Patel brought together all the princely states in one of the greatest accomplishments in modern history,” Naidu said.