Andhra Pradesh is moving closer to launching seaplane services after the Centre granted in-principle approval for water aerodrome construction at 10 locations across the state. Each project is estimated at Rs 20 crore, with funding support provided under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
The approved sites span Vijayawada, Srisailam, Araku, Lambasingi, Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Suryalanka, and Dindi. The state government will now initiate tendering and construction, with the aim of making services operational by January next year through a public-private partnership model.
The Vijayawada to Srisailam route has been identified as the most viable starting point, with aerodrome work set to begin at Berm Park near the Prakasam barrage. Clearances from the irrigation and environment departments are being sought in parallel, with infrastructure to be developed in phases.
Officials acknowledge that meaningful seaplane operations in India have largely been confined to premium destinations such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Andhra Pradesh is hoping the project positions it as a more accessible and innovative tourism destination, cutting travel time between key sites while offering a distinctive way to experience the state’s geography.
