Mumbai, Feb 2 : The Gujarat government has received three bids for the seaplane service connecting the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in Gujarat’s Narmada district with Sabarmati Riverfront, with city-based seaplane services operator Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (MEHAIR) emerging as the lowest bidder, according to sources. In December last year, the Gujarat government had invited fresh bids from national and international seaplane operators to relaunch India’s first scheduled seaplane service between Ahmedabad and Kevadia. According to sources privy to the development, Gujarat government has received bids from three operators including Aerotrans Services, Ventura Air Connect and MEHAIR. The sources informed that MEHAIR has emerged as the lowest bidder. When contacted, Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company (GUJSAIL) Director, Ajay Chauhan told UNI, “We have not yet selected the bidder. We are in the process as of now and it should take a month.” Attempts made to contact MEHAIR did not solicit any response. Budget carrier SpiceJet’s subsidiary SpiceShuttle had commenced commercial operations on the route in October 2020, which were suspended thrice due to various reasons including maintenance, Covid-19 infections, monsoon, etc. The services were expected to resume in September last year, but it did not take off. According to sources, under the new contract, the Gujarat government will be hiring single engine 9 passenger seating capacity amphibian aircraft for five years. One of the conditions of the bid was that either the aircraft had to be dry leased or owned by the bidders. The Gujarat government has already created the entire waterdrome infrastructure for the service at both locations, while the operator needs to secure and operate the aircraft. The government is also offering VGF and revenue share to the operator for making the service viable, the first such business model in India. (UNI)