Helipads may figure in BMC’s next DCR

Five years after it rejected the proposal to construct helipads on building terraces, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is now reconsidering the idea. The civic body is planning to include a provision for helipads in its next Development Control Rules (DCR).

“Concepts such as helipad provisions, staircase requirements, provisions for differently-abled people, commercial build-up space are being proposed to be incorporated in the new set of DCRs,” said civic chief Ajoy Mehta while presenting the budget for the year 2016-17.

In 2011, the BMC had rejected a proposal to construct helipad on building terraces.

The then Congress-ruled state government had sent a proposal asking the civic body to amend the development control rules (DCR) no 71 of 1991, which would allow the construction of helipads on terraces of buildings. But the BJP-ruled civic improvement committee had turned down the proposal saying ‘it was not in the interest of common man and beneficial only to rich people.’

The reason for rejecting the proposal was that building helipads on rooftops would cause noise pollution, disturbance to public and also be a threat to structural stability of the construction. Former mayor Sunil Prabhu in 2012 had also demanded helipads for rescue measures in disaster and crisis situations in the city. At least one helipad zone should be set up in each of the suburbs and the island city, he had said. But no decision was taken on this proposal.

“We are in the process of preparing a new set of DCRs, which will have an eye on the ease of doing business. They are being framed in a manner that will catalyse development. Helipads are proposed to be included in that,” said a senior civic official.