If their top execs can't fly, honchos can't either!

Corporate czars won't be able to use private helipads till their top management is not given security clearance

Corporate czars won't be able to use private helipads till their top management is not given security clearance

They have the choppers. They have the helipads. But using their personal rooftop helipad still remains a dream for India's super rich. Thanks to a quirky security law, India Inc's top bosses will be able to use their helipads only after a background security check of their M1 teams is completed.

GROUNDED: Taj Wellington Mews Luxury Residences at Colaba is the only rooftop helipad to have obtained all clearances

Among those waiting for the clearances for their top management from the central intelligence agencies are the Ambanis (both at Sea Wind and Antilia), Tatas, Gautam Singhania (J K House), Ruias (Essar House, Mahalaxmi), Oberois (at Goregaon), the Hindustan Construction Company (at Vikhroli) and ITC (in Bangalore and Chennai).
AT present, the Taj Wellington Mews Luxury Residences at Colaba is the only rooftop helipad to have obtained all clearances. All other private chopper use the Mahalaxmi Race Course.

Not only are the checks extremely stringent, the verifications can be revoked at any point by the government.

When asked about the rationale behind this rule, a top civil aviation ministry official said, "These are rules framed by the government and have legal sanction."

Private property

Brigadier (Retd) M Mahbubani, CEO, Aviacon, an aviation infrastructure consultant, said, "Asking for security clearances for the top management is strange, since the choppers and helipads are private property. Most have received the requisite permissions from the civic authorities, and Ministry of Environment and Forests. Some have also received clearances from the fire department and civil aviation ministry."

"Moreover, the corporate czars can use their choppers and invite anyone they like to fly with them even without the background checks. All they have to do is use a public helipad like they do at the moment."

None of the corporate bigwigs (named in the story) were willing to comment.

Natural concerns
The Ministry of Environment and Forests recently exempted helipads from the Coastal Regulation Zone norms after petitioners questioned how a helipad on an existing building could pose ecological problems.

Environmentalists, however, continue to rue the fact that the helipads will add to the noise pollution in the city.
"The helipads will increase the noise levels in the city. There is nothing wrong with private helipads, but they need to be planned in such a way that it does not affect the residents of the locality," said Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation.