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Jal Hans, the first Indian seaplane service
was launched here by Union Civil Aviation Minister
Praful Patel Dec 27 to ensure connectivity with
popular coastal and island destinations, both
for tourism and security requirements.
Appropriately, the Government has allowed 100
per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in seaplane
services. Jal Hans though is a venture of Pwan
Hans, the country’s first helicopter service
that is extensively being used for servicing offshore
oil rigs, VIP duties and tourism.
The Jal Hans service initially is being operated
by a Cessna Caravan 208 A amphibian aircraft.
It has the modern navigation features of any large
jet and can travel up to 200 km in an hour. It
can land on calm waters as also on ground using
the wheels configuration. It has a capacity of
ten seats which includes eight passengers, a pilot
and a navigator.
Patel said that the Government would encourage
Jal Hans to expand, and also invite others to
set up similar ventures.
It may be noted that the authorities have become
acutely aware of ensuring connectivity and surveillance
of coastal areas after the 26/11 attack by Pakistani
terrorists on Mumbai in 2008. From Maritime Surveillance
aircraft to combat patrol and sea plane operations,
the Government wants to ensure that there is no
gap anywhere in and over the Indian waters for
infiltration by terrorists and state-run saboteurs
of hostile countries.
Jal Hans is to be used extensively for connectivity
in the Andaman & Nicobar islands in the Bay
of Bengal to boost tourism. There is a 50:50 loss/profit
arrangement between Pawan Hans and Andaman and
Nicobar Administration. The seaplane service will
connect Port Blair with the picturesque Havelock
and other islands in the North Andamans to promote
tourism.
Dr S N A Zaidi, Secretary, Ministry of Civil
Aviation, observed at the launch: “The service
will be operationalized in the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands as per a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
signed between the Andaman and Nicobar Administration
and Pawan Hans Helicopters.” He added that
facilities for ferrying passengers from the shore
to the pontoons; sanitization of the waterdrome
before take- off and landing; speed boats with
10-passenger capacity, a standby inflatable Gemini
boat; and one floating jetty (pontoon) will be
provided at each location.
Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt
Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh said, ”We will
examine the commercial and operational viability
of seaplanes in these islands, and if successful,
we will bring more such planes to strengthen inter-island
connectivity.”
Andaman Information and Publicity Department
Secretary Abrahum Varickamackkal added, ”The
sea plane will break the myth of remoteness and
isolation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.”
Jal Hans will later extend the service to Goa
and Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea.
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