Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday launched a seaplane demo flight from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada to Srisailam in Nandyal district. The Chief Minister took part in the demo flight in a seaplane at Punnami Ghat on the banks of Krishna river in Vijayawada. Within an hour of starting the demo flight, he landed on the waters of Srisailam Project (reservoir) in Nandyal district. After deboarding the flight, Naidu was welcomed by the district officials. Naidu was also accompanied by Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu.
‘I felt a different feeling’
Later, he took the ropeway to reach the hill top and from there by bus reached Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swami Varala Devasthanam, and offered prayers. Naidu said in the press conference, “When we landed here (Srisailam) by sea plane, I got a different feeling. I arrived in 40 minutes and the runway (water) was very smooth and perfect. I landed in the middle of nature.” Naidu said the seaplane experience was smooth, unlike the turbulence experienced during airport runways and landing of helicopters.
Services will start from March
He assured that regular sea-air services to Srisailam will start from March after the infrastructure is established. Further, he said that he had the good fortune to connect the Durga Temple in Vijayawada and the pilgrimage site of Srisailam, both important Hindu spiritual centres, by sea-plane. The Chief Minister said he would form a committee to prepare a master plan to develop the place as a tourist destination.
