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Mumbai traffic? Just fly over it : The Indian Express
New Delhi, Nov 05: For the Mumbai-bound corporate air traveller who spends more time on roads than on flights, there is some good news. The Civil Aviation Ministry plans to start a chopper service between the Chhatrapati Shivaji airport and the city in three months.
New Delhi, Nov 05: For the Mumbai-bound corporate air traveller who spends more time on roads than on flights, there is some good news. The Civil Aviation Ministry plans to start a chopper service between the Chhatrapati Shivaji airport and the city in three months.
Mooted initially in 1997, the plan was to construct a helipad in the city’s Cuffe Parade area and have a regular service between the airport and the city. The travel time, it was then estimated, would be down to just 10-12 minutes. In peak hours, even after several flyovers, it could take two hours now.
But the project had to be struck down after some residents raised objections that choppers would increase noise pollution levels. They approached the Bombay High Court and obtained a stay.
Now at the instance of Minister of State for Civil Aviation Rajiv Pratap Rudy, a team led by Pawan Hans Chairman N.V. Sridhar will leave for Mumbai on Thursday to re-examine the modalities and find ways to implement the project.
The team is expected to meet Cuffe Parade residents in a bid to obtain their consent through suggestions that may address their concerns. Simultaneously, the team will also look at other options for constructing a helipad or heliport to start this service.The operations, which will be carried out by Pawan Hans, would also be extended to more points within the city. Apart from Cuffe Parade, plans are afoot to look for a suitable place close to Nariman Point. A helipad near the Mahalakshmi Race Course—being used by choppers on payment basis—will also be explored.
The Airports Authority of India has been instructed to find a suitable spot for a chopper terminal. It’s learnt that AAI is considering to allot space at the southern end of the runway.
From here, helicopters will not need to cross the runway on take off. DGCA norms require that choppers don’t cross the flight path of planes taking off or landing at the airport.
The Ministry, in the meantime, has taken note of the helicopter industry’s longstanding demand to revise these norms and bring them in tune with inetrnational peactices.
Rudy told The Indian Express that DGCA has been tasked with making a route map for the chopper service while also taking a relook at existing norms.
‘‘We are trying out all these new projects keeping the customer in mind. But let me assure you that the concerns of the residents will addressed and all efforts will be made to ensure that ferry service does not cause any disturbance to them. My plan is to get the service in operation by January first week,’’ he added.
While there is no decision on the number of flights, officials said it will depend on the response.
According to Rudy, the Ministry has already asked authorities concerned to carry out an economic analysis.
The service, however, may not be available to passengers with heavy baggage. According to officials, corporate executives with light baggage are likely to benefit.
But the project had to be struck down after some residents raised objections that choppers would increase noise pollution levels. They approached the Bombay High Court and obtained a stay.
Now at the instance of Minister of State for Civil Aviation Rajiv Pratap Rudy, a team led by Pawan Hans Chairman N.V. Sridhar will leave for Mumbai on Thursday to re-examine the modalities and find ways to implement the project.
The team is expected to meet Cuffe Parade residents in a bid to obtain their consent through suggestions that may address their concerns. Simultaneously, the team will also look at other options for constructing a helipad or heliport to start this service.The operations, which will be carried out by Pawan Hans, would also be extended to more points within the city. Apart from Cuffe Parade, plans are afoot to look for a suitable place close to Nariman Point. A helipad near the Mahalakshmi Race Course—being used by choppers on payment basis—will also be explored.
The Airports Authority of India has been instructed to find a suitable spot for a chopper terminal. It’s learnt that AAI is considering to allot space at the southern end of the runway.
From here, helicopters will not need to cross the runway on take off. DGCA norms require that choppers don’t cross the flight path of planes taking off or landing at the airport.
The Ministry, in the meantime, has taken note of the helicopter industry’s longstanding demand to revise these norms and bring them in tune with inetrnational peactices.
Rudy told The Indian Express that DGCA has been tasked with making a route map for the chopper service while also taking a relook at existing norms.
‘‘We are trying out all these new projects keeping the customer in mind. But let me assure you that the concerns of the residents will addressed and all efforts will be made to ensure that ferry service does not cause any disturbance to them. My plan is to get the service in operation by January first week,’’ he added.
While there is no decision on the number of flights, officials said it will depend on the response.
According to Rudy, the Ministry has already asked authorities concerned to carry out an economic analysis.
The service, however, may not be available to passengers with heavy baggage. According to officials, corporate executives with light baggage are likely to benefit.