Mumbai: The Directorate General of Civil
Aviation (DGCA) has suspended helicopter operations from the
Mahalaxmi racecourse here citing absence of permission and
security arrangements among other reasons.
"This is a temporary suspension and we have asked them to
upgrade security measures and put in place Standard Operating
procedures," an official from DCGA Western Zone said.
Citing lack of permission, absence of standard operating
procedures (SOPs), visual aids, emergency systems and security
arrangements, the DGCA yesterday suspended operations from the
Mahalaxmi helipad located in the heart of the city and
operated by the Airport Authority of India.
The helipad had permission to allow smaller and lighter
choppers to operate but now the traffic movement has gone up
and so has the size of the choppers, which needs better SOPs
visual aids, and security arrangements, the official said.
The Mahalaxmi helipad is used regularly by industrialists
and politicians in the city. Though there are three more
helipads in South Mumbai, only the one at Mahalaxmi is open to
non-military, non-political flyers.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, July 28, 2011, 11:57