State plans heliports for satellite city

Navi Mumbai: If the latest development happening in the Mantralaya circles is to be believed then the satellite city of Navi Mumbai could soon boast of three heliports.
A heliport is a small airport like structure suitable for use by only helicopters. Well placed sources informed that the State Chief Minister (CM) Ashok Chavan while visiting the Bandra-Worli sea link last week expressed the need for heliports in the city. The idea was reportedly first floated during the tenure of the then CM Vilasrao Deshmukh.
Sources inform that Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the planning agency for Mumbai is already underway with the initial planning work for the heliports. Sources confirmed that the State administration had approached Cidco in this regard.
Cidco on its part recently suggested three sites in Navi Mumbai for these proposed heliports. One of the three sites is in Vashi while the other two are in Nerul, informed a source from Cidco. Officials on request of anonymity informed that Nariman Point, Worli along with Navi Mumbai are the sites short listed as potential sites for heliports.
The construction of these heliports will be decided after they are evaluated by independent consultants appointed by the MMRDA. Sources also quoted Chavan as saying that having a heliport in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai was the need of the hour.
When contacted, Cidco chairman, Nakul Patil confirmed the news. "We have given three options to the state for developing heliports. Our job was only to suggest the sites and the onus is on them (MMRDA) to finalise the projects," he informed. Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director, MMRDA also confirmed the proposal of developing heliports in Navi Mumbai and said that currently they were in the process of checking whether a heliport was feasible in Navi Mumbai.
What is a heliport?
The internet says that a heliport is a small airport like structure suitable for use by only helicopters. Information on a website says that heliports usually have one or more helipads along with facilities like fuel, lighting and hangars. In larger towns, custom facilities may be available at heliports.
Experts say that in large metropolis like Mumbai, heliports can be of great help for those needing to quickly move within the city or to neighbouring regions. Generally heliports are situated closer to cities and in some countries some skyscrapers also have rooftop heliports.In urban areas, these heliports are usually located on the roof of the hospital, where they serve during emergencies.