Gujarat to develop water aerodromes

Gandhinagar, July 14 (IANS) The Gujarat government has decided to set up water aerodromes at four places in the state. For this project, a tripartite memorandum of understanding between the state government, Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is on the anvil.A proposal for this project will be put forward in the Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.Under the central government's Regional Connectivity Scheme, RCS UDAN-3 and 4, the Gujarat government has decided to set up 4 water aerodromes at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Sardar Sarovar Dam, Kevadia in Narmada, Shatrunjay Dam in Palitana near Bhavnagar and Dharoi dam in Mehsana.For this the government will have to allocate a total of 1 to 2.5 acres of land. The project will be expanded to more sites in future, to extend the air connectivity in the state.Water aerodromes are spaces in water bodies, where amphibious aircraft can take off and land. Moreover, there are facilities for parking such aircraft also.The AAI will act as the implementing agency in the project and will develop the project at four places. It will also aid the Gujarat government in developing the master plan for the project. The National Hydrographic Office will survey the sites of the project.
--IANS amc/kr