Seaplane trials to begin soon at Uttarakhand’s Tehri Dam

Aiming of to attract more tourists, a seaplane service will be introduced on the Tehri Lake besides an array of water sports activities to make the water body a happening adventure spot in the region, Uttarakhand Chief Minister TS Rawat said.

Besides surfing, the 42 sq km Tehri Lake, the reservoir of the Tehri Dam, currently offers boating facilities by power boats and jet skis, among others. Besides water sports, Tehri also offers parasailing, paragliding and hot air baloon rides.

"By next year, the seaplane will be made operational as we have finalised the plans with (Union Minister) Nitin Gadkari. All necessary arrangements are being undertaken to make the seaplane landing on the lake," said Rawat. The Centre has allocated ₹110 cr while state has given the land to develop Tehri as a tourist destination, he added.

Seaplane operations will also be a great help in emergencies like landslides in the region.

Besides, the state government has also allocated ₹50 crore to make the area more tourist-friendly, Tourism Secretary Dilip Jawalkar said.

Tehri Lake records about 800 footfalls a day at the moment which is expected to go up with more water sports and other adventure sports activities, Jawalkar said, adding that a lot of foreigners come to Rishikesh who can be attracted to Tehri Lake once seaplane is made operational.

The seaplane trials will start next month with the approval and guidelines of the DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Situated at 2,500 ft above sea level, the Tehri Lake is at present 740 metres deep, which rises to 825 metres during the rainy season.

Tehri MLA Dhansingh Negi said the increased water sports and adventure sports activities in the area will create job opportunities for the youth while the enhanced footfalls will increase commercial activities here.

Currently the region does not have many hotels and most of the tourists are day-visitors. Jawalkar said hotels and other infrastructure facilities are being developed in the area to cater to the growing need of tourists.