June 24, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received a positive feasibility report from Pawan Hans Ltd confirming that the Worli jetty is structurally and logistically viable for use as a helipad for medium-sized helicopters, according to civic commissioner Bhushan Gagrani.
However, given the jetty’s location in a strategically sensitive coastal zone, the project will require additional approvals from key regulatory bodies. These include the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Maharashtra Home Department, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), particularly with regard to aviation safety and airspace compliance.
Subject to these clearances, the proposed helipad is expected to serve a variety of purposes—ranging from medical evacuations and VIP transport to enhanced coastal surveillance and tourism promotion. “It can be used mainly as a heli-ambulance, in any other emergency, or even for a future scheduled service, such as Mumbai to Shirdi,” Gagrani stated.
Located approximately 120 metres into the Arabian Sea, opposite Worli Dairy, the jetty was initially constructed as a temporary platform to support phase one of the Mumbai Coastal Road project. Although originally intended for dismantling upon project completion, the structure was retained following a request by the coastal police for surveillance use. Built using reinforced cement concrete, it has since attracted the attention of urban planners exploring aerial connectivity solutions for Mumbai.
The initiative was prompted by a directive from Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who instructed civic authorities to assess the location’s potential for helicopter operations. The Maharashtra Maritime Board conducted an initial structural evaluation, which confirmed the site’s suitability. Pawan Hans Ltd, a government-owned aviation company, was subsequently tasked with conducting a more detailed feasibility study, which has now paved the way for further regulatory review and development.
Source: Hindustan Times
