Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday attended the Seaplane Demonstration at the Water Sports Complex, Orchid Resort, Umiam Lake.
The event was organized by the Transport Department, Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. Also present on the occasion was Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ramohan Naidu.
In his opening remarks, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, “In the late 90s to the mid-2000s, as a budding entrepreneur, I traveled to various parts of the North Eastern region of India, which required about a 20-hour journey by bus to state capitals, particularly to Kohima, Imphal, and other places to build up my business. I realized the gap in connectivity and the challenges faced at that time. When we came to the government in 2018, aviation became a key focus for upgradation and change.”
He further said, “With the introduction of the UDAN scheme in 2008, it became a major game changer in terms of connectivity for India, particularly for Meghalaya and the North Eastern Region in general. The Honourable Prime Minister prioritized connecting regional headquarters to other smaller states, leading to an unprecedented change over the last eight years. Now, we can travel within an hour to other northern state capitals by air, resulting in significant growth in trade and connectivity.”
The Chief Minister noted that seaplanes require 200 meters of waterbody and a depth of 5 meters to land and take off. “With the terrain and landscape of Meghalaya, this will be conducive, as water bodies can be created due to adequate rainfall,” he added. He mentioned that constructing a dam for landing would be cost-effective, costing approximately 15 lakhs, compared to building a runway for an airport.
He also informed that a reservoir is being constructed in Tura to address water scarcity, which in the next few years could facilitate seaplane landings.
Addressing challenges, Sangma said, “We have faced significant challenges with Umroi airport and are pushing for the expansion of the runway to accommodate mid-sized aircraft such as the Airbus A320. We have managed to maintain connectivity to Delhi but aim to expand that network. We are also keen on operationalizing Baljek Airport in Tura, and I am confident that, with the support of the Aviation Ministry, this will become a reality.”
Regarding the seaplane demonstration’s impact, the Chief Minister emphasized that the seaplane would only be meaningful if connected to an ecosystem that supports tourism, trade, commerce, and connectivity.
“I am aware that according to Skyscanner’s 2025 Travel Trends Report, Shillong is the top destination for Indian travelers, surpassing places like Baku and Azerbaijan. Meghalaya is positioning itself to lead this wave of change, especially as we anticipate the establishment of a 7-star hotel at this very location. This development would be symbiotic with the seaplane demonstration today, opening new opportunities for tourism. Stakeholders play a crucial role in this, as tourists are eager to visit multiple places in the northeast, and this initiative is vital for the sector’s growth,” he said.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ramohan Naidu said, “India has about 1,300 islands, numerous landable water bodies such as rivers and lakes, and a vast coastline, which is a significant advantage for the use and expansion of seaplane services, fostering socio-economic growth. I assure support for the development of Umiam Airport and other aviation needs for the Government of Meghalaya. We have adapted aviation guidelines to provide more flexibility for the sector to flourish.”
The amphibious aircraft demonstrated at the event was manufactured by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited and managed by SpiceJet.
The event was also attended by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Umroi MLA Damanbait Lamare, Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, Sanjay Goyal, Director of the Department of Transport, representatives from De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, and other state and central government officials.
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