The Andhra Pradesh government is devising plans to introduce seaplanes as a key component of its strategy to boost tourism. Leading the charge on this initiative is the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL). Drawing inspiration from the successful seaplane service operating on Gujarat’s Sabarmati River, the AP government has commissioned senior officials from various departments such as tourism, revenue, forest, fisheries, and water resources to undertake an initial study.
Under the supervision of Amrit Kumar, the project engineer at Orvakal Airport, these officials conducted an examination of the Krishna River at Srisailam, collecting essential data for the seaplane project. The inspection team journeyed from the SLBC tunnel to the upstream Srisailam reservoir to evaluate the project’s feasibility. Their assessment revealed that the area is well-suited for establishing an aerodrome to facilitate seaplane landings.
In the planning stages of the water-based aerodrome, officials are committed to ensuring minimal disruption to the livelihoods of local fishermen who rely on the reservoir for fishing activities. A comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently in progress, focusing on the viability of the aerodrome on Srisailam reservoir water and conducting a thorough assessment of the ground conditions before proceeding further.
Additionally, plans are in place to conduct surveys at Prakasam Barrage and Nagarjuna Sagar. The state government aims to introduce seaplanes starting from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada, establishing a connection to Nagarjuna Sagar via the downstream flow of the Krishna River from Srisailam. Future tourism packages are being considered to offer seaplane services along this river route. Exploring the potential for aerodromes at strategic locations like Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Prakasam Barrage is expected to significantly boost tourism revenue.
Chandramouli Reddy, the divisional manager of the Tourism Department, has confirmed the completion of the joint inspection. The state government is set to proceed with the DPR based on the recommendations put forth by the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited.
Leave a comment