Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a seaplane service between the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in Gujarat's Narmada district

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a seaplane service between the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in Gujarat's Narmada district and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

He inaugurated the service by boarding the twin-engine plane from pond-3 close to Sardar Sarovar Dam near here after taking part in the Ekta Diwas celebrations at the Statue of Unity on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 145th birth anniversary.

#WATCH Live from Kevadia, Gujarat: PM Modi at Statue of Unity on birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (source: DD) https://t.co/dIvvuo4LmU

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2020

Before boarding the plane, Modi spent some time at the water aerodrome at the pond and took details about the service and the aircraft from the crew as well as officials.

The plane carrying Modi landed on the waters of Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad in around 40 minutes after covering a distance of around 200 kms.

After his arrival in Ahmedabad, Modi unveiled a plaque announcing the launch of the service from Saturday.

Narendra Modi

The service will be operated by SpiceJet's fully-owned subsidiary, Spice Shuttle. Daily two flights will be operated on the Ahmedabad-Kevadiya route from Saturday, the company said in a statement.

Tourists can reach Kevadiya in less than 40 minutes from Ahmedabad instead of an over five-hour journey by road.