Mumbai corporators oppose private helipads, proposal rejected

Mumbai: The Ambanis will have to wait a little longer before they can park their choppers atop their building. The improvements committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) rejected the proposal for change in regulations to permit helipads on buildings.

The state urban development department had proposed to modify rules to facilitate setting up of helipads on the rooftop, the side and the rear of a building.

When the proposal was tabled before the committee on Friday, corporators questioned the need for such a change in law. Congress corporator Vinod Shekhar and MNS corporator Mangesh Sangle said the law was being modified to accommodate the needs of a few individuals.

Sena corporator Manmohan Chonkar said, “Helipads should be set up for the police and the BMC, among other public services.”
Following the objections, improvements committee chairman Yashodhar Phanase rejected the proposal.

If the government wants to press ahead the agenda, it will have to table a fresh proposal.

The proposal has been challenged in court by NGO Awaaz Foundation. The Navy has also opposed the proposal. Similarly, Union environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh had opposed the construction on health and security grounds.