PM Modi Launches Sea Plane in Guj, Takes First Ride from Sabarmati

PM Modi was on a two-day visit to Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country’s first seaplane service in Gujarat on the 145th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's first seaplane service in Gujarat on the 145th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Saturday, 31 October.

He inaugurated the service by boarding the first flight from Sardar Sarovar in Kevadia to Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.

PM Modi, who reached Ahmedabad on Friday for a two-day visit, inaugurated multiple projects in the state.

This seaplane service connects the Sabarmati riverfront at Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity at Kevadia. The distance of two hundred kilometres between Kevadia and Sabarmati will be covered in just 45 minutes by the seaplane.

Earlier, the Prime Minister during his address on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary said:

“Today, seaplane service from Sardar Sarovar to Sabarmati riverfront is also going to be launched. To see the Statue of Unity, the countrymen will now also have an option of seaplane service. All these efforts are going to give a big boost to tourism in this area.”

The seaplanes, with their ability to land and take-off from the 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 provided 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.

Soon after he landed at the Ahmedabad airport on Friday morning, Modi went to former Chief Minister and late BJP stalwart Keshubhai Patel's residence to pay his respect and offered his condolences to the grieving family.

He also paid visit to the families of former BJP parliamentarian-legislator duo brothers, Mahesh and Naresh Kanodia, who passed away during the week and offered condolences.

He inaugurated the Jungle Safari – a state-of-the-art zoological park built on 375 acres situated at levels of 29 to 180 metres above average sea level.

The prime minister also inaugurated a children's nutrition park that features a joyride train for children and adults to help increase nutritional awareness through edutainment.

The other projects inaugurated are the Cactus – an architectural greenhouse displaying cacti and other succulent plants from 17 countries, apart from an 'Aarogaya Van', a garden spread over 17 acres and having 5 lakh plant of 380 species of medicinal herbs. There is also a wellness centre called Santhigiri based on Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga, and Panchkarma treatments.

Ekta Cruise for boating experience in the Narmada river, Gora Bridge, Garudeshwar Weir, government quarters at Kevadiya, bus bay terminus, Khalwani eco-tourism, Ekta nursery and homestay tourism projects were also inaugurated.

(With inputs from IANS)