The Narendra Modi government now plans to introduce alternate travel options like helipads, passenger ships and sea planes along national highways for convenient travel in India. This new initiative will assist people in boarding a plane from Mumbai Port or a riverside terminus on Ganga to fly to vicinity or to take a helicopter in the middle of a highway. The government is also examining the possibility of using amphibian buses to decongest traffic in sea side cities like Mumbai.

Fortunately, the Mumbai Port Trust already received the green signal to launch sea plane operations along with Maharasthra Tourism Development Corporation. Similar services will also be offered on 12 major ports and several minor ports of India. Shipping, road transport and rural development minister Nitin Gadkari stated that the Modi government will allow private players to use 4- seater and 9- seater sea planes to travel from Mumbai to Shirdi. It can land at a lake 10km near Shirdi and can again fly back passengers to Nariman Point in Mumbai. Also if an appropriate plot is found on Yamuna in Delhi, then sea plane services can resume there also.

The shipping ministry has initiated discussions with civil aviation ministry to establish new sea-port authority of India on lines of Airports Authority of India. Also, multi- modal transport options are being introduced along India’s national highways and river stretches. The ministry has proposed to Mr. Modi a waterway project on the lines of PM’s Gram Sadak Yojana, to develop around 16,000 km of inland waterways. The barrages which are being built on Ganga will also serve as bridges. A five-star floating hotel is also on the list of proposals. The government has a keen emphasis on creating new transport options for people residing in India and those who comes to India for vacation.