The apex body of helicopter pilots has complained to aviation authorities about the lax security at Juhu aerodrome and other helipads, which could potentially lead to illegal transport of cash and arms during the election season.
In a letter to aviation regulator DGCA, the Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI) has said that there are no security personnel at helipads to subject VIPs, especially politicians, and their luggage to checks. It is the pilots' responsibility to frisk VIPs, most of whom refuse to cooperate.
Also, VIPs often change the lists of passengers travelling with them at the last minute, leaving the pilots with little time to conduct security checks.
On Wednesday, Mirror had reported how private helicopter pilots were being offered between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh per trip by political parties to transport money. The Juhu aerodrome, which handles all helicopter operations out of Mumbai, and the helipad at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, used mostly by industrialists, have become popular destinations for political fixers as there is hardly surveillances at the two places.
10/04/14 Bipin Kumar Singh/Mumbai Mirror
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In a letter to aviation regulator DGCA, the Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI) has said that there are no security personnel at helipads to subject VIPs, especially politicians, and their luggage to checks. It is the pilots' responsibility to frisk VIPs, most of whom refuse to cooperate.
Also, VIPs often change the lists of passengers travelling with them at the last minute, leaving the pilots with little time to conduct security checks.
On Wednesday, Mirror had reported how private helicopter pilots were being offered between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh per trip by political parties to transport money. The Juhu aerodrome, which handles all helicopter operations out of Mumbai, and the helipad at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, used mostly by industrialists, have become popular destinations for political fixers as there is hardly surveillances at the two places.
10/04/14 Bipin Kumar Singh/Mumbai Mirror
