Seaplane, airstrip projects of Kerala hit a snag

Overview Kerala's ambitious seaplane and aviation projects are facing significant delays, casting doubt on their timely implementation. The State government's efforts to enhance regional connectivity through air services and helipads have encountered several hurdles, primarily related to feasibility studies and project scope management. Key Developments Initial Tenders and Feasibility Studies Nearly two years ago , the government issued tenders inviting consultancy firms to conduct feasibility studies for initiating air services and constructing helipads in Bekal , Wayanad , and Idukki , along with a seaplane waterdrome in Kochi . However, the Transport department has yet to issue a work order for preparing the pre-feasibility report, indicating a slow start to the project. Expansion of Scope and Impasse More recently, the State requested Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board Consultancy–Rail India Technical and Economic Service (KIIFCON–RITES) , the joint venture selected through competitive bidding, to expand its scope of work. This expansion included preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for five waterdromes at different locations in the State, in addition to the originally awarded tasks. KIIFCON–RITES responded that such an expansion was not feasible within the initially quoted cost, leading to an impasse and effectively stalling the project. Stalled Components The government has refrained from issuing the work order even for the previously awarded components. These components included integrating nearly 100 existing helipads — both government and privately owned — across the State into an aviation network, including connectivity to Sabarimala , besides setting up airstrips in Kasaragod , Wayanad , and Idukki . Union Government Directive and Subsequent Alteration Last year, the Union government directed Kerala to submit DPRs for launching seaplane services from the Idukki , Malampuzha , Banasura Sagar , and Mattupetty/Chenkulam dam sites, as well as from Bekal . This directive followed the allocation of 48 seaplane routes , including several in Kerala, to various airlines under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – UDAN of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. Acting on this directive, the State altered the scope of the already awarded work. However, the project was subsequently stalled due to the untenable expansion of scope without a corresponding revision in cost. Current Considerations Sources close to the State government indicate that the government is now considering issuing the work order to KIIFCON–RITES for the originally awarded tasks, while floating a fresh tender for the seaplane project to select an agency for preparing the DPRs. However, officials cautioned that the process may take considerable time, given the sluggish pace of file movement within the Transport department. Airline Allocations At present, the five seaplane routes in Kerala have been allocated to IndiaOne Air , Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt. Ltd. (MEHAIR) , PHL , and SpiceJet . UPSC Relevance This news article is relevant to the UPSC syllabus under GS3: Infrastructure Development and GS2: Government Policies . It highlights the challenges in implementing infrastructure projects and the importance of regional connectivity schemes like UDAN . The case study of Kerala's aviation projects provides insights into the bureaucratic hurdles and financial constraints faced by state governments in infrastructure development. Key Takeaways The project aims to improve regional connectivity through seaplanes and helipads. Delays are primarily due to issues with feasibility studies and project scope management. The UDAN scheme plays a crucial role in promoting regional air connectivity. Bureaucratic delays and financial constraints are significant challenges.

Seaplane, airstrip projects of Kerala hit a snag

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Seaplane, airstrip projects of Kerala hit a snag

Seaplane, airstrip projects of Kerala hit a snag

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