Mumbai is set to significantly expand its aerial infrastructure with the development of four new helipads within the next six years. This initiative aims to bolster urban air mobility, primarily for emergency services, tourism, and facilitating seamless transit across the metropolitan region.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is spearheading the development, with two helipads planned along the Mumbai Coastal Road. One helipad is being constructed at the Worli jetty, a project awarded to the Raymond Group under a 15-year public-private partnership (PPP) model. This helipad is expected to be operational within two years and will feature necessary upgrades to meet Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms, including enhanced lighting and safety systems. The Worli helipad is intended to serve as a replacement for operations at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, which is undergoing redevelopment, and will be crucial for air ambulance services and VIP movements.
A second helipad is slated for construction in Charkop, Kandivali, adjoining the northern stretch of the Coastal Road project. This site will be repurposed from land currently used for tunnel construction. The BMC is exploring its use for emergency services, including air ambulances, to ensure faster connectivity to hospitals across the city and its suburbs.
In addition to the Coastal Road helipads, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is developing two helipads at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). Tenders for these facilities were issued last year, and construction is underway, with completion anticipated by 2030. These helipads, along with the Coastal Road and Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) projects, are part of a broader strategy to integrate a multi-modal transit system within Mumbai.
The development of these helipads addresses a long-standing need for enhanced aerial emergency response capabilities in Mumbai. Historically, while private buildings have helipads, many remain underutilized. The operational helipad at Raj Bhavan is restricted to VIP personnel, and helipads atop private hotels are primarily used by VIPs. The former helipad at the Mahalaxmi racecourse became a no-flying zone due to surrounding skyscrapers.
The Maharashtra government had previously introduced a helipad policy in 2018 following a series of near-miss helicopter incidents. This policy aimed to establish permanent helipads in each of the state’s talukas to ensure safer and more regulated helicopter operations. While the policy outlined stringent requirements for helipad sites, including clear approach paths and obstruction-free zones, its implementation across the state has faced significant challenges, with progress remaining minimal in many areas.
The new helipads in Mumbai are strategically located to complement the city’s ongoing infrastructure development, such as the Coastal Road and GMLR. Their primary objective is to facilitate emergency services like air ambulances and evacuation operations, thereby improving response times during critical situations. By providing an alternative mode of transport, these helipads are expected to enhance the city’s overall connectivity and resilience, particularly in managing medical emergencies and disaster relief efforts.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
