First heliport set to greet Delhi

Very soon, Delhi will have its first and the country's second heliport. But don't expect anything glitzy on the lines of Delhi Airport's new Terminal 3. HT reports.

Very soon, Delhi will have its first and the country's second heliport. But don't expect anything glitzy on the lines of Delhi Airport's new Terminal 3.

HT Image

The heliport, which is like an airport for helicopters, is being built over an area of 25 acres in northwest Delhi's Rohini area by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL), a public undertaking. The heliport will be used to ferry athletes and delegates during the Commonwealth Games.

While the heliport in Rohini will be used as a base, a temporary helipad is also coming up near the Commonwealth Games village near Akshardham temple.

The helicopters will provide shuttle services from the village to other sporting venues spread across the capital, like Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium or Delhi University.

Work on the helipad facility near the Games village is nearing completion and it is expected to be inaugurated within the next fortnight. The heliport, which will also come up by the end of September, will have adequate space for operating helicopter services and park up to 20 helicopters at a time.

While the initial plans of PHHL included passenger terminals, lounges, parking bays and maintenance facilities, the heliport is going to be a frugal, no frills structure.

"As of now, it is going to be a basic but efficient facility that would be enough to cater to needs during the games. There are bigger plans for the heliport but that will only happen after the games when there is an increase in demand for helicopter services," said a senior PHHL official who didn't wish to be named.

"Both the heliport and helipads near the Games village will come up well in time before the event," said R.K. Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director of PHHL. "The Rohini facility will be the ‘mother station' and used for night parking of helicopters."