Scindia pitches for helipads with new highways – here’s why

He said the civil aviation and road transport ministries have discussed the proposal. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is emphasizing on increasing the use of helicopters to enhance connectivity especially in remote and hilly areas.

Both Scindia and Minister of State for Civil Aviation General (Retd) VK Singh advocated for the creation of helipads in every district. He was speaking at the Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference in the national capital yesterday.

Scindia said, “All new highways should have helipads… with them so that the infrastructure is created. Helipads on national highways will help in immediate evacuation during emergencies.”

The government has also decided to incubate a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) pilot named ‘Project Sanjivani’ by deploying a helicopter over the next few weeks to provide emergency medical services at AIIMS Rishikesh, reports PTI.

The helicopter will be located at the hospital at 20 minutes notice and will have service cover within a 150 km radius. At present, there are around 80 dedicated helicopter corridors.

Meanwhile, the minister also urged the governments of Assam, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Bihar and Punjab to reduce VAT on ATF for the development of the civil aviation sector in their states. He also promised to increase air connectivity by reducing VAT on ATF in these eight states.

He also mentioned how civil aviation has been the mostly affected sector during the Covid-19 pandemic, reported ANI.

“Pre-Covid, India’s record was around 4 lakh passengers per day. We broke that record twice – in April this year and a few days back. We have achieved a new record of between 4.07 lakh to 4.1 lakh passengers this time. day,” Scindia said.

(with inputs from agencies)