Uttarakhand tourism takes big leap as seaplane lands on Ganga

Uttarakhand tourism took a big leap on Monday as the state witnessed its first seaplane landing on the Ganga River, paving the way for future air connectivity to other water bodies across the state. According to officials, this development will lead to a major upgrade in transportation for the Char Dham pilgrimage and adventure tourism in the state.

The successful seaplane trial landing was conducted over the Ganga Barrage in Rishikesh by a private company that operates air services over water bodies. Officials in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that the exercise was “a big step towards taking air connectivity and tourism in the state to new heights.”

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“The Uttarakhand government has been consistently promoting modern transport facilities, particularly as part of its plan to upgrade tourism infrastructure in the state. The successful seaplane landing on the Ganga River is the result of the Pushkar Singh Dhami government’s persistent efforts to make seaplane services at religious and tourist hubs like Rishikesh a reality. This will also serve as a model to replicate similar operations at other water bodies across the state in the coming days,” said Bansidhar Tiwari, Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister.

Tiwari stated that the commencement of seaplane services in the state will provide a major boost to the Char Dham Yatra by facilitating easier access for pilgrims to different locations en route to the Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines in the coming days.

He further added that seaplane services will also strengthen adventure tourism as they are expected to attract global thrill-seekers to the region.

Tiwari claimed that once seaplane services become a regular feature in the state, tourists from across India and abroad will be able to reach Rishikesh and nearby prominent locations in less time. This, in turn, will boost the local economy and generate employment opportunities.

Tiwari further informed that the Dhami government plans to expand this service in the future to Tehri Lake and Nainital Lake, along with other major reservoirs, with the aim of establishing Uttarakhand as India’s premier seaplane destination.

“This trial was not only a technical success but also a clear signal that a new chapter of aerial tourism is about to begin in Uttarakhand,” the Additional Secretary stressed.