Assam’s Tourism Boosted by Historic Seaplane Test Flight Over Brahmaputra River, Tourism Minister Jayant Malla Barua participated in the demonstration flight

Guwahati:In a groundbreaking moment for Assam’s tourism and transportation sectors, a Canadian amphibious seaplane successfully completed its first test flight over the Brahmaputra River, marking a historic milestone for the state. The experimental flight, which took off from Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, and landed at Pandu Ghat, was attended by Assam’s Tourism Minister, Jayant Malla Barua, who expressed his excitement and optimism for the future of Assam’s tourism infrastructure.“This is a special day for Assam,” said Minister Mallabarua, following the successful demonstration of the seaplane. “For the first time, a seaplane has flown over the Brahmaputra and landed on its waters. This is a historic event not just for Assam, but for India, as this is the first time a seaplane has landed on a river in the country,” he added.The seaplane, a collaborative effort between M/s de Havilland Canada and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is seen as a game-changer for the state’s tourism and transport industries. Minister Mallabarua highlighted that the introduction of the seaplane could greatly enhance connectivity to popular tourist destinations in Assam, such as Kaziranga, Majuli, Umrangso, and Dibrugarh, thereby boosting the local economy and attracting more visitors.He also expressed confidence that the seaplane could become a regular mode of transport for tourists in the region within the next year. “The successful test flight today is just the beginning. We aim to establish regular seaplane operations to make travel to these beautiful destinations more accessible, not just for tourists but for locals as well,” the minister said.The seaplane is expected to significantly reduce travel time, making it easier for visitors to explore Assam’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage. The minister also mentioned future testing plans for other sites like Kaziranga and Majuli to ensure the seaplane’s viability for tourism and transportation.Overall, the test flight represents a promising new chapter for Assam, offering a unique combination of convenience and scenic beauty that could redefine the state’s tourism industry in the years to come.Tourism Minister Jayant Malla Barua today said “We will continue our efforts to bring the seaplane back to regular operation as soon as possible,” he said. The Minister also said that sea aircraft were usually used at sea in India till date and today is one of the historic moments when sea aircraft were tested on the Brahmaputra River in Assam for the first time. “You will be pleased to know that this is the first time a seaplane has landed in a river in India,” he told reporters. They have landed at sea or other backwards before, but today the seaplane landed in the river for the first time. So this is a joy for us. This seaplane is a major addition to the communication and tourism sector of Assam. If we can run this seaplane to Kaziranga, Umrangchu, Majuli, Dibrugarh etc. in Assam – the whole transport system or tourism sector in Assam will move forward a lot together. The minister said he was delighted with the successful testing of the seaplane. He thanked the transport department and the tourism department for this.Describing the flight experience, the minister said the flight was very spectacular. The addition of this aircraft will be a groundbreaking addition to the transport and tourism sector in Assam. We are hopeful that within the next six months to one year we will be able to complete all the work to implement the seaplane in the field of transport and tourism in Assam ‘, Pavithra, etc The addition of seaplane to the sites will facilitate transportation for various tourists and will also help in discovering lesser known tourist destinations. The minister said it would be tested in Kaziranga, Majuli or Umrangso in the near future.