Kerala: Seaplane project status under lens

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the fate of the much hyped seaplane project is hanging in the balance over the last few years, the new LDF government is gearing up to review the project. Tourism Minister A C Moideen has convened a high-level meeting of officials to review the status of the project on Tuesday.

“After getting the status of the project, I will decide further plans like discussions with the fishermen community, experts in the field and seaplane operators. At this stage I cannot say  what will be the future of the project,” the tourism minister told Deccan Chronicle. Meanwhile, the fishermen community is sticking to their stand that any move to operate the seaplane which would affect the livelihood of fishermen would be strongly opposed. Even Finance Minister Thomas Issac had recently said that the seaplane was not a priority for the government. 

“We cannot take forward a project that may affect the livelihood of fishermen. Since the fishermen are still concerned, the seaplane project is not a priority for the government at present,” Mr. Isaac said at a post-budget press conference when reporters asked about the lack of any fund allocation for the seaplane project in the budget.

“We are not opposed to the seaplane, but are opposed to any project that could affect the occupation of the traditional fishermen community,” said AITUC affiliated Matsyatozhilali Federation leader by T J Anjalose. Meanwhile some seaplane operators are exploring the option of commencing seaplane services from airports.

Seabird Seaplane service chief general manager Mr. Chinson Panakkal said that the company was expecting final clearances from aviation authorities on operating a seaplane between Nedumbassery airport in Kochi and Lakshadweep. The seaplane was one of the flagship projects of the previous UDF government launched in June 2013. But the hasty launch of the project without taking the fishermen community into confidence led to its premature death, experts in the sector point out.