4.5.11

A heliport in Nerul

Plans to construct a state-of-the-art heliport at Nerul in Navi Mumbai have got a major fillip. The Union ministry of defence (MoD), which had earlier objected to the construction of heliports, has given its go-ahead for the setting up of the heliport, which is proposed to come up in sector-30. But, another proposal for setting up a heliport in the sea off Nariman Point has suffered a setback. The MoD has blocked clearance for this site. A clearance from the MoD was required for both sites as these are situated close to defence installations. A missile testing station of the Indian Air Force is situated near the Nerul site, while INS Kunjali, a naval installation, is located close to the proposed Nariman Point site. State officials confirmed that a communication from the MoD granting permission for the Navi Mumbai site was received four days ago. The state government is keen to offer commercial heliports at the two sites as an alternative for speedy travel within the city and its peripheral areas. Sources said that a formal clearance from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will now be sought for the Nerul site. The DGCA has already indicated its willingness to sanction the proposal. A no-objection from the ministry of environment and forest (the site also falls in the coastal regulation zone) has already been procured. The government is keen to float tenders for the construction work on the site by June. An estimated cost of Rs 22.99 crore is expected for construction of the heliport. The government has plans to set up automated ticketing points and modern-day terminals at the site. To recover the capital expenditure, the state administration is exploring the options of either transferring the developed infrastructure to a private player or leasing it out. The first option is expected to lead to a one-time revenue of Rs 22.99 crore, while the second option would bring revenue in the form of annual rent of Rs 1.44 crore. The state cabinet, which has already approved the move, has decided to appoint the City Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) as the nodal agency for the Nerul site. Officials said that Cidco will have to invest money towards viability gap funding (difference between capital expenditure and projected revenue). The state plans to operationalize the heliport in three years. Meanwhile, officials said that the government is likely to push the case for a clearance to the Nariman Point site as well. The state cabinet had earlier asked the administration to explore alternative sites in the city, where such a heliport could be established.

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