Action against people using pvt helipads on rooftops: BMC

MUMBAI: The improvements committee of the BMC asked the civic administration on Thursday to issue notices to places that are using helipads without the corporation's permission.

Without a proper policy for helipads in place and with a writ petition over the issue pending in the Bombay high court, the BMC is not allowing buildings to operate private helipads.

"We have already received four proposals for helipads. Two are from the island city and two from the western suburbs. But it has come to our notice that helipads are already in use at Goregaon and some other places without the BMC's permission," said Manoj Kotak, chairman of the civic body's improvements committee.

The state government has already issued guidelines for helipads and a proposal to make amendments in the Development Control Regulations (1991) is pending before the improvements committee. But the proposal cannot be passed, Kotak said, for it would be in contempt of the HC.

According to DCR 1991, a building wanting to build a helipad must first get a certificate from a structural auditor about the stability of the building. It must also ensure that the building's ventilation is not affected. After getting these permissions, the helipad can be built on the roof or on the cantilever structure of the building.

"Allowing helipads in the island city will clutter up South Mumbai. They will also be a security threat and a cause for noise pollution," said Vinod Shekhar, a Congress corporator. "It's understandable if they are put to good use like for police surveillance, and for fire and medical emergencies. But they will be a waste if they are only meant for industrialists."