The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) are planning to build four helipads across Mumbai over the next six years. The plan is to prepare the city for a future multi-modal transport system.
BMC will build two helipads along the Coastal Road Project. These will be located on the northbound and southbound stretches. For the southbound stretch, a tender was issued for a helipad at Worli in December last year.
The Worli site was earlier used as a jetty. A feasibility study by Pawan Hans Ltd found that the site can handle a helipad for medium-sized helicopters. The contract for the Worli helipad was awarded to the Raymond Group. However, residents opposed the plan. In February, the Worli Resident Association wrote to the central and state governments raising concerns.
The one for the northbound stretch has been proposed at the Charkop section of the coastal road. The civic body has identified two land parcels in Kandivali’s Charkop area. This arm of the coastal road connects Versova to Bhayander in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Officials said the helipads will be built under a public-private partnership model. Private contractors will fund construction and maintenance. Revenue from operations will be shared between the contractor and the government.
The remaining two helipads will be developed by MMRDA in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). The process began after tenders were issued in July last year. Officials said contractors are expected to complete the helipads within five years. However, it should be noted that they are meant for emergency use only. These include air ambulances and evacuation during crises.
Plans for helipads in Mumbai are not new. In 2014, the state government proposed a helipad at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. In 2016, the civic body allowed private developers to build helipads on buildings taller than 200 metres. Many such helipads were built, but most of them are unused.