Mumbai to have private helipads

Mumbai: The near-collision between an Air India flight and President Pratibha Patil's helicopter entourage has spurred the Maharashtra government into action. The state urban development department on Thursday cleared a proposal to set up private helipads in Mumbai. It will be implemented once chief minister Ashok Chavan gives the nod.
However, heliports from where commercial airlines can ferry passengers for a premium, do not form part of the proposal.
T C Benjamin, principal secretary (urban development), said development control (DC) rules would be amended suitably to allow private helipads in Mumbai. "Once the CM clears the proposal, BMC would make the necessary changes in section 154 of DC rules,'' he said. The civil aviation department rules for helipads would also apply, he added.
Officials said permission for helipads would largely depend upon the height, safety features and structural stability of the building on which it is proposed to be built. "The distance of the building with the helipad from other structures in the area would be very important. A building situated in a congested neighbourhood obviously cannot have a helipad,'' said officials. The convenience of people staying or working around the building would also be an important factor, they added.
Officials in urban development department said at least half a dozen applications to build helipads are pending with the BMC for the last few years.
13/02/09 Devraj Dasgupta/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Feb 2009, New Feb 2009