Kasargod : If everything goes as per the plans of the Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd (KTIL), then Kasargod district will have its first Seaplane facility operational in August at Neeleshwar Kotappura. The proposal which is said to give the much needed boost to the tourism sector of the region, is expected to cost Rs 12 crore. Kerala already has such a facility at Alappuzha.
The KTIL has conducted preliminary surveys at Kotappura and Talangere for the project. Kairali Aviation having its headquarters in Dubai, Maritime Energy Heli Air Service in Mumbai, and Kerala Seaplane Services, will be operating these flights. Six-seater seaplanes will become operative initially, sources said and the seaplanes are expected to provide a thrilling experience to tourists who hitherto have seen these only in movies.
There is good news for Mangalore too. The KTIL plans to extend the service to Mangalore if the Karnataka Government agrees.
It is learnt, at Kotappura, the existing small boat jetty would be developed into a parking area for seaplanes. The KTIL has plans to operate seaplanes from 20 centres including Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and also Mangalore in the near future.
