Assam CM Sonowal watches demonstration by amphibious plane

Guwahati, Oct 5 : Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday saw a demonstration flight of an amphibious aircraft designed by Setouchi Holdings of Japan at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here.

The Chief Minister said the aircraft -- which can take off and land on short, unimproved strips and water bodies -- is going to be a ground-breaking initiative undertaking for improved regional air connectivity.

Assam is tipped to the be first in the country where amphibious aircraft would be put into service.

The proposed service will help improve the state economy and revolutionise the region's connectivity with the rest of India, Sonowal added.

The Journalists Forum Assam (JFA), a regional body of journalists in the north-east, condemned Spicejet airlines, partner of Setouchi Holdings of Japan in the project, for "discriminating between local and national media" invited to cover the demonstration.

The JFA said while Spicejet officials escorted journalists from Delhi and other places inside the airport to witness the demonstration, the media from Guwahati were not allowed in on security ground.