Thu Feb 27 11:18:37 UTC 2025: ## IIT Madras Startup Promises 3-Hour Kolkata-Chennai Trips for ₹600
**Chennai, India – February 26, 2025** – A revolutionary transportation solution is poised to disrupt travel in India. Waterfly Technologies, an IIT Madras incubated startup, plans to launch electric-powered sea gliders capable of transporting passengers from Kolkata to Chennai in just three hours for a fare of ₹600. These Wing-in-Ground (WIG) crafts skim the water’s surface, flying up to four meters above it, leveraging a phenomenon called ground effect to reduce drag.
The ambitious project has garnered significant attention, including praise from industrialist Anand Mahindra, who lauded the design and potential for utilizing India’s extensive waterways. Mahindra’s endorsement on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the startup as another example of IIT Madras’ thriving innovation ecosystem.
The announcement has sparked considerable online discussion. Many users expressed excitement about a potential third mode of transport to alleviate road congestion and high airfares. Others raised important questions about safety, economic viability at the proposed fare, crew size requirements, and the need for a well-developed water transport infrastructure before introducing such technology. Concerns were also raised about the potential challenges of air traffic control for such flying vessels.
Keshav Choudhary, co-founder of Waterfly Technologies, explained to The New Indian Express that the gliders utilize the ground effect to minimize drag, improving efficiency. While the concept is undeniably innovative, the success of Waterfly Technologies hinges on addressing concerns regarding safety, economic feasibility, and infrastructure development. The future of this unique transportation method remains to be seen, but its potential to revolutionize Indian travel is undeniable.
First Piper 