Gadkari envisions cab-like functioning for 'seaplanes'

Union Minister for Shipping and Waterways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday shed light on his vision for seaplanes to provide cab-like services in India.

"We recently tested planes that can run on water. I call it a flying boat, while the aviation ministry calls it a seaplane. It is my dream to see seaplanes running like taxis do in India," Gadkari said while addressing the India Infracon 2018 event here.

These eight-seater seaplanes, Gadkari said, will be unveiled by the end of this year, and added that talks were underway with Russian and German companies regarding their production.

"Recently, we signed an agreement with a Russian company for the manufacture of seaplanes. We are assessing several aspects and hope to bring them in by December," he said.

In December, Prime Minister Modi travelled from the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to the Dharoi Dam via seaplane, which is the first-ever flight by such a craft in the country.

The Prime Minister said the seaplanes can augment tourism in places like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and the North East, and can also prove useful in times of medical emergency.