Saturday, October 07, 2023

MADC preparing report on setting up helipads along Samruddhi Expressway

Nagpur: Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) on building helipads along the Samruddhi Expressway.

The choppers would be available for evacuating accident victims on the highway, moving general patients to even providing commercial services.

This is in the backdrop of MADC — a Maharashrta government company which is also developing Mihan-SEZ being made the nodal agency for setting up helipads and providing air ambulance services in the state. The decision was taken on Thursday.

Samruddhi Expressway has witnessed a large number of accidents since it was open for public. The latest was the bus mishap in which 25 persons were killed.

The vice-chaiman-cum-managing director (VCMD) of MADC Swati Pandey told TOI that the initial focus is on making helipads along the Samruddhi Expressway. MADC has an experience of building airports both greenfield and brownfields. Considering this factor, MADC can also take up the task of building helipads which are much smaller as compared to an airport, added Pandey.

She said a project report is being made on making helipads along the Samrudhi expressway. MADC will be acquiring land and taking up construction work for helipads subsequently. The facility will be offered by helicopter operators, said VCMD.

Although evacation during the time of accidents can be one of the services, the choppers would be also available for other purposes. MADC’s role will be upto building the helipads. The operators would be offering services depending on their financial viability, she said.

Pandey said it has also been decided to hand over the airports that were under the Maharashtra Industries Development Corporation (MIDC) to the MADC. These are in towns like Yavatmal, Nanded, Latur and Baramati.

She said as much as 40% of work on the Bellora airport coming up in Amravati district is done and is expected to be completed by next year. This is based on the state government’s idea to have such facilities in every district at least.

07/10/2023 Shishir Arya/Times of India

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