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The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has issued tenders to restart its seaplane tourism project. Eight routes have been selected by the MTDC for the proposed seaplane services.
This would link distant locations like Ganpatipule (Ratnagiri), Koyna Dam (Satara), Ujani Dam (Solapur), and Mandwa (Alibaug) with big cities like Mumbai and Pune.
The goal is to:
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Improve air travel to remote locations
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Support tourism
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Increase regional connectivity
Operators from India and abroad have been invited to submit bids. The selected operator will be responsible for all project costs. To support the operator, MTDC has offered two options in the bidding terms:
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It will return the full investment over five years.
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It will offer a revenue guarantee for three years.
Further, the tender document released in April says:
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The operator must first carry out a feasibility study.
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Then, the aircraft will be chosen for the routes.
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Only amphibious aircraft or seaplanes with 9 to 19 seats and up to two engines can be used.
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These aircraft must not be older than 12 years.
Cost of the Project
The MTDC’s internal report estimates the total cost of the project between INR 466 crore and INR 490 crore. This includes buying five aircraft, building water aerodromes at six places, getting approvals, and setting up the service.
The report suggests a ticket price of around INR 4,000. If the service attracts 50,000 to 70,000 passengers per year, it could start making a profit in five to seven years.
The state first launched seaplane services in 2014 with help from private players. However, the plan did not succeed and was stopped soon after.
As per sources, the new plan is more practical and better prepared. The MTDC is now working closely with civil aviation authorities to speed up the approval process. The plan will also use current infrastructure like certified water bodies and helipads.
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