1st chopper parking a no-frills structure

Travelling in helicopters might be associated with the rich and the powerful but the country’s first heliport coming up in northwest Delhi’s Rohini is going to be a frugal, no-frills structure.

Travelling in helicopters might be associated with the rich and the powerful but the country’s first heliport coming up in northwest Delhi’s Rohini is going to be a frugal, no-frills structure.

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The helicopter facility would be used to ferry athletes and officials during the Commonwealth Games in October next year. After the games are over, the heliport would help in connecting the capital with areas like Agra, Dehradun, Saharanpur, Jalandhar, etc., through helicopter service.

Inter-city helicopter services are also in the pipeline if plans to build helipads across the city fructify.

The heliport, spread over 25 acres, is being built by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL), a public undertaking.

“We have adequate land to operate helicopter services and park up to 20 helicopters at a time but the heliport would be a cost effective structure,” said a senior Pawan Hans official, who didn’t give his name, as he isn't authorised to talk to the media.

The Rs 50 crore heliport would have a runway, parking bays, maintenance facilities and a departure/ arrival terminal.

“It is going to be a very basic but efficient facility that would be enough to cater to needs during the Commonwealth Games. We have bigger plans for the heliport but that would only be implemented when there is an increase in demand for helicopter services,” he said.

Apart from tourist services, Pawan Hans is planning packages for corporates and those coming to hospitals in Delhi from nearby towns.

The heliport would provide unhindered helicopter movement for medical emergencies or disaster management.

The heliport would also have a separate air traffic control tower and the air corridor used by helicopters would be separate from the air funnel of aircraft landing and taking off from the airport.