Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hometown Vadnagar has been named as one of the destinations to receive a heliport.
The state aviation department has identified seven locations for helipad construction: Ahmedabad, Somnath, Saputara, Ambaji, Dwarka, and Gir. Vadnagar, a heritage town with a rich history has also been included in the list.
The objective of building heliports is to boost the tourism industry, use it for medical emergencies and for relief and rescue during disasters. It is also meant for travel in the interior areas of the state, sources in the state aviation department told.
The aviation industry in the state has been expanding for the past some time, with new air strips and helipads being built.
Building a helipad, according to an aviation department official, requires several approvals in addition to technical approvals, including those from the Director General of Civil Aviation, collectors, police, and the state aviation department.
The official said that while only one helicopter can land and take off from a helipad as against four or more that can use a heliport simultaneously.
“A vertical platform can be used for a heliport whose infrastructure is similar to an airport with a small terminal building, security clearance, passengers sitting area, ATC tower, MRO Service, fuelling points, fire brigade, ambulances and other facilities and infrastructure available. It needs an eight-nine acre land,” an official said.
The plan is to build heliports at the six destinations in the next two years. The heliport will be built as per Indian Aircraft Act and rules.
“A heliport costs about Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore to build, the ones at Ahmedabad and Vadnagar will be constructed in the first phase.
Tenders for this have been issued. It will be built close to the airport at Hansol in Ahmedabad and at Gunja in Vadnagar,” the official said.
A non-scheduled operator permit holder will be given a permit to use it. The heliport will also be useful for chartered and helicopter parking slots for revenue for the state.
Director of Civil Aviation, Gujarat, Capt Ajay Chauhan, said, “The state government had accorded approval for heliports in Gujarat.”