Mumbai: The BMC is appointing a consultant for preparation of documents for floating a tender, for the development of a helipad at the Worli jetty, under a PPP model. The jetty was built as part of the coastal road. Earlier, IIT-Bombay had submitted a report certifying the structural stability of the jetty for the development of the helipad, while Pawan Hans had submitted a report clearing the feasibility of constructing a medium-sized helipad. The helipad is expected to cater to medical emergencies, VIP movement, marine surveillance, besides for tourism or multi-modal transport, which will be explored in future. “Our intention is to start the helipad as soon as possible, we can think of expansion of the facility for various other purposes including for multi-modal transport at a later stage,” said a senior civic official. According to civic officials, Pawan Hans, which was appointed to carry out a feasibility study, had submitted a report in May this year, favouring the construction of a medium sized helipad at the jetty, which is near the promenade, opposite the Worli Dairy. Two jetties were constructed as part of the coastal road project phase-1, one was near Amarsons Garden that was dismantled and the other at Worli.“We will appoint a consultant for preparing the documentation required for floating a tender seeking parties interested in constructing and operating the helipad on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis. A consultant engaged by BMC departments such as the Garden department and the Education department for their PPP projects, is likely to be engaged by us for this project too. This consultant will see us through till the floating of tender on a PPP basis,” said a civic official. Before constructing the helipad, which will allow for the landing of a medium sized helicopter at the jetty, various clearances are required from the Civil Aviation ministry, Defence, and Home Ministry, besides Environment study and CRZ clearances. “An Obstacle Limitation Survey (OLS) and a DPR needs to be prepared for the project, these aspects are likely to be incorporated in the tender floated under the PPP model,” an official said. The project to construct a helipad at the jetty was taken up after Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde asked the BMC to consider setting it up along the Coastal Road.
