Shillong, Nov 14: As the scenic Umiam Lake prepares to host Meghalaya’s first seven-star hotel, the state is also exploring new avenues to connect its stunning landscapes to the world.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today attended a seaplane demonstration at the lake’s Water Sports Complex, marking a significant step towards enhanced regional connectivity. Organized by the Transport Department of Meghalaya and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the event also saw the participation of Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ramohan Naidu.
The Chief Minister shared his vision for Meghalaya as a premier destination, particularly as Skyscanner’s 2025 Travel Trends Report has named Shillong as India’s top travel spot. “The seven-star hotel coming up at Umiam Lake is just the beginning,” Sangma said, “and the seaplane service could open even more avenues for tourism by making it easier for travellers to access multiple breathtaking sites across our state.”
The seaplane demonstration emphasized the potential of amphibious aircraft to address Meghalaya’s unique connectivity challenges. Reflecting on his experiences as a young entrepreneur travelling by bus across the Northeast, Sangma highlighted how time-consuming journeys could be.
“Back then, it could take up to 20 hours to reach state capitals like Kohima and Imphal,” he said. “Since we took office in 2018, we’ve worked to make aviation a priority for Meghalaya. With the UDAN scheme’s regional connectivity focus, we’ve seen significant progress, but seaplanes could take this a step further.”
Seaplanes, which require only 200 meters of water with a depth of five meters to operate, could transform travel across Meghalaya’s water-rich landscape. Sangma noted that creating small, landing-ready water reservoirs could be a cost-effective alternative to building full airstrips. Projects like the new reservoir in Tura, which is also addressing local water needs, could eventually double as a seaplane landing site.
Civil Aviation Minister Naidu pointed out that India’s natural geography—with its 1,300 islands, countless lakes and rivers, and extensive coastline—is perfect for seaplane services. “We’re committed to supporting Meghalaya’s aviation needs, and the infrastructure at Umiam Lake is an ideal starting point,” he said. “Seaplanes can unlock unique economic and tourism opportunities for the Northeast.”
The seaplane demonstrated today, manufactured by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada and managed by SpiceJet, showcased how this mode of travel can blend smoothly into Meghalaya’s natural and logistical landscape.
Chief Minister Sangma also emphasized that successful seaplane operations would hinge on developing a broader ecosystem. “For seaplanes to truly enhance connectivity, they must link to a thriving network of tourism, trade, and services,” he explained.
“With Meghalaya poised as a top destination, the seaplane service can make regional tourism more accessible, allowing visitors to seamlessly move between attractions across the Northeast.”
Read: NEHU crisis continues; Students, teachers reject Pro VC appointments, call it ‘illegitimate’
WATCH:
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
