The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) gave the go-ahead to the proposal after the government made amendments to the Development Control regulations last year to permit helipads atop buildings, paving the way for the Seawind helipad plan.
“The helipad has been granted clearance by the Authority,” Environment Secretary Valsa Nair Singh said.
Environmentalists had raised objections to the plan on the grounds that it would lead to violation of the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The MCZMA heard the matter on August 24 after which the proposal was cleared, Singh said.
Presently, the captains of industry and top politicians have been using the helipad at Mahalaxmi Race Course for which the Royal Western India Turf Club has obtained permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, but the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation has not allowed the use of the race course as a permanent helipad.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has now proposed three heliports across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
According to sources, these are to come up at NCPA, the casting yard of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and along Palm Beach Road in Nerul.
“Antilia,” the 27-storey proposed house of Mukesh Ambani, billed as the costliest in the world at $ 2 billion, will also have three helicopter launching pads.
The house is being constructed in an area of 4,00,000 sq ft.
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