Dial-a-chopper service may become reality by 2020

New Delhi: A fleet of a few thousand helicopters will fly along dedicated air corridors in Indian cities by 2020 if the civil aviation ministry has its way, a fitting plan to announce the country’s new-found status in the comity of nations.
The ministry is working on a policy to kick off helicopter services in a big way as major Indian cities face ground congestion, making movement difficult even in cases of health and security-related emergencies.
“The ministry is working towards having enough infrastructure for about 5,000 helicopters,” said an official with the ministry.
“We have written to the urban development ministry proposing development of a helipad alongside every hospital and to the highways authority suggesting provision of a helipad every 100 km so as to provide quicker rescue to accident victims,” he said, adding that responses are expected by the month-end.
The ministry is also in talks with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to have a separate Heliport Authority, which will provide infrastructure to support growth of this segment.
It has also sought a separate air corridor for helicopter services, like the ones in developed nations. “This will help in unhindered movement of helicopters without disrupting aircraft movement,” he said.
23/09/10 Anindya Upadhyay/Economic Times

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Sep 2010, New Sep 2010