An innovative move by the NDA Government to have sea plane service in Asia’s largest lake is likely to take a final shape soon.
In fact the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is mulling a water aerodrome in Chilika lake to boost tourism and a two- day survey has been conducted recently in this connection.
SpiceJet is interested for such a service and joined in the Team AAI for taking up the survey.
Gurgaon- based low cost carrier SpiceJet is among the airlines that are keen to start sea plane operations in the country.
In October last year, SpiceJet signed a MoU with Japan’s Setouchi Holdings for acquiring up to 100 amphibian aircrafts.
Biju Patnaik International Airport Director Suresh Chandra Hota has said that a two-day preliminary feasibility survey in the lake was carried out by a special team.
The team was led by the AAI General Manager (architect) Sangita Mahay and senior officials of the AAI, SpiceJet, Meteorological Centre,
Bhubaneswar, Chilika Development Authority (CDA) and State Water Resources Department on June 15 and 16 for the location of the proposed aerodrome.
He said the team surveyed the lake area in Satapada in Puri district and Balugaon in Ganjam district to take stock of the mode of the landing of the seaplanes or amphibious aircraft.
The study was taken up in the direction where the proposed aerodrome would be set up and the location of the aerodrome where maximum passengers will be benefited.
Although the proposed aerodrome will not have the amenities available in the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, but it will provide all necessary requirements to the passengers, he said.
The AAI sources said the team found that the location of the proposed aerodrome at Satapada will not be feasible due to the shallowness of the lake water and a number of prawn gherries.
However, the team has preferred the location in Balugan area where the lake water is deeper and has fewer mosses, he said.Apart from passenger seaplanes and amphibious aircraft, the water aerodrome will facilitate landing of war planes. However, a single-engine plane will be allowed to land on the aerodrome, the official added.
The length of the runway of the proposed water aerodrome to be built at a cost of Rs 10 crore will be 500 feet, said sources.