Seaplane service connecting Juhu-Girgaon may start soon

Mumbai, Jan 19: The much-delayed seaplane service between Juhu and Girgaon chowpatty in Mumbai is likely to commence from February 13, when the week-long 'Make in India' event begins in the megapolis.

"The last mile hurdle for launching the service was the clearance from the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). But now we have received even that, paving way for commencing the services between these destinations," Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Joint Managing Director Satish Soni told PTI here today.

He said the intent was to coincide the launch of the services with the mega event to be organised from February 13 to 18. The MTDC has appointed city-based seaplane operator Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (MEHAIR) for providing the service.

"We wanted to start this service at that time of the programme to make it a mega event," he said. Soni said the clearance from the Defence Ministry — permissions from the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force was obtained last year and recently the MbPT gave its nod.

The project now only awaits clearance from the collector for setting up porta cabinsto provide basic passenger facilities. "We hope we will get the clearance from the collector in a week and after completing all the necessary formalities we will be able to start the services," he said.

MEHAIR Co-founder and Director Siddharth Verma said the service will provide the much needed boost to the tourism industry.

PTI