Worli's New Wings: Jetty to Transform into Helipad

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received a positive feasibility report from Pawan Hans, confirming that the Worli jetty is structurally and logistically suitable for conversion into a helipad for medium-sized helicopters, according to Civic Chief Bhushan Gagrani.

Initially constructed as a temporary reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structure during Phase 1 of the Mumbai Coastal Road project, the jetty—extending 120 meters into the Arabian Sea near Worli Dairy—was retained for marine surveillance at the request of the coastal police. Its strategic location has since caught the attention of urban planners.

The proposed helipad is intended for multiple uses, including medical evacuations (heli-ambulance), VIP transport, marine security, and tourism connectivity. “It can primarily function as a heli-ambulance, and also be used in emergencies or for future scheduled services like Mumbai–Shirdi,” Gagrani noted. The proposal follows a directive from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to explore the site’s potential.

A structural assessment by the Maharashtra Maritime Board had already found the jetty viable, leading BMC to commission Pawan Hans for a detailed evaluation. The project now awaits approvals from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Maharashtra home department, and the DGCA to ensure aviation safety compliance.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.