The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is toying with the idea of starting an amphibian bus service at some tourist spots along the Mumbai and Konkan coast.
The MTDC has invited expression of interest in this regard.
“We have received a go-ahead from MTDC Director Valsa Nair Singh for starting an amphibian bus service. Initially to make it economically viable, we plan to start it at the Mumbai port,” Assistant Managing Director of MTDC, Satish Soni said.
“We have decided to launch the amphibian buses to add entertainment and adventure value to tourism Maharashtra. We are currently studying the existing amphibian bus service in operation at Thames river in London. Popularly known as Duck Service, this is one of the best attractions for the tourists visiting London,” Soni added.
Over the next couple of months, the corporation will receive the feasibility report from experts.
“This report will have information about probable tourist spots, the rules and regulations, tariff structure, the capacity of buses, among other things,” he said.
“The amphibian buses can ply on land as well as on (or under) water. The tourists can see some picturesque locations in and around Mumbai by travelling in it. The vehicle will take them to the tourist spots at sea around Mumbai,”he said.
In August this year, Mumbai-based private operator Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd (Mehair), in association with MTDC, had launched maiden seaplane service to Lonavala from Mumbai, marking its first operation from the mainland.
The first commercial seaplane flight with nine passengers onboard a Cessna 208A aircraft, had taken off from the Juhu aerodrome to Pawana dam in Lonavala.
