The Union Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on infrastructure has cleared terms of reference (ToR) for three seaplane airports at the Brahmaputra riverfront in Guwahati and at the Statue of Unity and Shatrunjay Dam, both in Gujarat. The ToRs are guidelines for conducting environmental studies of projects after which it is considered for clearance by the panel.
The EAC in its meeting held through video-conferencing in April noted that the water aerodromes aims to boost tourism near Statue of Unity and Sardar Sarovar Dam, Gujarat along with terminal building on the land side and allied facilities. Both projects are planned in the land provided by the State Civil Aviation Department.
The ₹ 12.5 crore proposed project is located on Panchmukhi Lake (Lake-3) of Sardar Sarovar Dam at Limdi Village in Narmada District, Gujarat. Over 2,046 sqm land will be acquired for the proposed project.
The development of Water Aerodrome has been proposed at Shatrunjay Dam, Village vadal in District Bhavbnagar by Gujarat Civil Aviation Department to be spread over 0.40 hectares of area. The proposed project is planned in the area provided by the Narmada Water Resource Department, Partly Private land in the proposed access road near Palitana, noted the EAC.
Similarly, the development of water aerodrome has been proposed at Guwahati Riverfront (Bramhaputra River), Guwahati, Assam by the State Transport Department.
The proposed terminal will be spread over the plot area of 0.42 Hectares.
Considering that the water aerodrome are just emerging in the country as a new mode of transport involving sea/river fronts and its likely impacts on water, air and aquatic biodiversity including flora and fauna, the EAC followed the appraisal process as is being done in the case of airports.
The project proponents also informed the EAC that water aerodrome were primarily on water, intended to be used either wholly or in part for the arrival, departure and movement of seaplanes, and any building and equipment on ground or water. Sea plane operation from coastal/ river/ canal as well as terrestrial water bodies will extend the connectivity to those areas where there is no land-based airport.
The high capital investment for airside infrastructure development required in land-based airport can be avoided. Thus, there is a necessity to establish water aerodromes for seaplane operations, argued the project proponents.
After discussion with members, the EAC cleared ToRs for the three projects asking their proponents to take clearance from the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) in case near to the sanctuary as well as impact of aerodrome on flow characteristics during normal and flood conditions by modelling study among other required clearance.
They have also been asked to conduct public hearing for preparation of environment impact assessment report.