Maharashtra to develop 358 helipads, one in each Taluka

MUMBAI: After several close shave incidents for chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in helicopter crash-lands the state government have come up with the helipad policy. The government has also decided to develop 358 permanent helipads, one each at every taluka across the state.
The state has issued a government resolution (GR) directing all district collectors to plan and identify the location at all talukas for developing permanent helipads.

A senior official from the general administration department (GAD) said that now, the site for the helipads will be identified and subsequently developed.

"After identifying these sites, departments concerned and local bodies will either keep that sites as no-development zones or reserved for helipad site in the development plan considering the future requirement of the helicopter traffic and to restrict coming up of high rise buildings or any other construction which could obstruct the takeoff and landing of helicopters," he said.

The policy for the helipad also mentioned that the district collector shall be responsible to ensure that any kind of construction does not take place around helicopter landing site which may become an obstruction for helicopter operations.

The state revealed its helipad policy on Thursday which stated that the site and the adjoining area, up to a distance of 500 metres from the centre of the helipad site, should be free of electric wires, telephone cables, data-tv cables, microwave tower, transformers and any such objects that may become an obstruction for safe operation of the helicopter.

The site should be preferably clear of densely populated areas. The site should have easy two way access for vehicular movements such as fire brigade and ambulance. It should have provisioning of facilities for cordoning off area. The crowd is to be barricaded at least 300 metres from the centre of the landing site and only minimum necessary authorized personnel be allowed to enter the helipad Area.

As per the policy, district collector shall be responsible for arranging an ambulance, fire-fighting and security services during the movement of VVIP, VIP and any other designated official of Government of India and state government. A medical officer should be available for pre-flight medicals of the aircrew.

There will be restrictions over the baggage. The policy stated that the Collector is to make suitable arrangements for positioning of VIP Baggage at least 15 minutes prior to take off for security clearance and loading. And also transfer all excess baggage above the 7 kilo gram limit per passenger by road to the next-final destination.

The responsibility of providing security will be on the state police department with coordinating the district collector, policy stated.