The Bombay High Court today issued notices to concerned union ministries, Maharashtra government and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai seeking their response to a petition seeking construction of helipads in South Mumbai.
A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha was hearing a public interest litigation filed by a social worker Arvind Shastri seeking construction of helipads in south Mumbai to avoid traffic jams caused by movement of VIPs as the helicopter landing facility is currently available only in suburbs.
The bench while issuing notices to the respondents directed them to file their reply by September 16.
"All helicopters have to now land in the suburbs. Usually helicopters are used by VIPs who travel to south Mumbai. Due to VIP movement from the suburbs to south Mumbai there is always traffic problem," advocate for the petitioner Mohan Jaykar argued.
The petition states that while it is impossible to have an airport in south Mumbai there is sufficient space for helipads. "The Ministry of Defence has raised objection to the construction of a helipad due to security issue," the PIL claims.
