Maharashtra is gearing up to launch seaplane operations from eight dams—including Pawana near Pune—under the UDAN 5.5 scheme, aimed at enhancing eco‑friendly regional air connectivity and tourism by December 2025. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has expanded UDAN to include seaplanes and helicopters, targeting 150 water‑based air routes by the end of the year.
Maharashtra’s proposed locations—Dhom (Wai), Gangapur (Nashik), Khindsi and Pench (Nagpur), Koradi (Mehkar), Pawana (Pune), Ratnagiri and Ganpatipule—form part of a broader national rollout. These routes, to be served by aircraft such as De Havilland Canada seaplanes, are expected to cost between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000 per passenger, supported by Viability Gap Funding (VGF). Private carriers, including IndiGo and Pawan Hans, have shown strong interest. Aviation experts describe the initiative as a strategic next step for UDAN, converting conventional regional airports into water aerodromes. With over 600 routes and 71 airports already operational, including two water aerodromes, UDAN has facilitated more than 1.44 crore passenger journeys.
UDAN 5.5 specifically prioritises last-mile connectivity using amphibious aircraft and helicopters, aiming to open around 80 water routes and integrate approximately 400 helipads. For Maharashtra, linking picturesque dams with seaplane services offers both a logistical and environmental advantage. Water‑based aerodromes minimse land use, preserving terrestrial habitats—a key component in sustainable infrastructure development. Moreover, by bringing urban passengers directly to rural hotspots, it supports local economies and eco‑tourism. This revival aligns with a prior MTDC initiative to launch seaplane services between Gangapur Dam and Mumbai, which had stalled a decade ago due to technical challenges. The renewed effort—including bids for seven additional dam routes—demonstrates a strategic pivot towards innovative tourism infrastructure.
Yet, questions remain over environmental clearances, water‑way safety norms and community engagement. Effective implementation will require multi-agency coordination, including jetties at dams, pilot and support staff training, and studies to assess impact on aquatic ecosystems and seasonal fluctuations. India’s 2024 guidelines eased regulations for seaplane operations—removing waterdrome licences and simplifying certification—to encourage non-scheduled operators under the regional connectivity mission . With these policy backdrops, Maharashtra’s dam-based routes appear poised for rapid deployment. The success of these routes hinges on operational viability as fares remain subsidised through VGF. While such funding has underpinned UDAN’s legacy, nearly half of earlier routes faltered after support ended.
Optimists argue that by targeting tourism-heavy destinations, these routes could sustain themselves financially. Local economies—farmers, guides, hospitality providers—may flourish through additional footfall. Moreover, the novelty of water‑borne travel may attract early adopters, supporting initial traction. Challenges such as seasonal water levels at dams and integration with broader transport networks remain. Infrastructure must ensure seamless first‑mile and last‑mile connectivity—bus, taxi, parking, rest areas—that ties into smart, gender‑inclusive mobility frameworks.
If operational by end‑2025, Maharashtra’s seaplane network could earn national acclaim in sustainable aviation. The project can offer a blueprint for green regional connectivity—where diminished land disruption, inclusive access, and economic uplift coexist. Success could encourage replication across eco‑tourism zones, hill states, coastal clusters and island territories. Yet, success will depend on solid governance: inter-agency synergy, committed subsidies, community partnership and environmental safeguards. Only then might seaplane services evolve from a novelty into a resilient pillar of regional development—and set Delhi, Goa, Kerala or Andaman on the same course.
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