Mumbai’s civic administration has initiated the process to develop a helipad at the Worli jetty along the southern stretch of the Coastal Road, signalling a new phase of multi-modal urban infrastructure tied to emergency response and coastal monitoring. The proposed facility will be developed through a Public Private Partnership framework, marking a shift towards shared-risk infrastructure financing for specialised urban assets.
According to officials overseeing the project, the helipad is intended to support medical evacuations, disaster response operations, and coastal security activities, while also enabling controlled non-emergency use under regulatory oversight. The location at Worli jetty has been identified due to its strategic proximity to the city’s coastline, major transport corridors, and critical healthcare institutions. Under the proposed PPP structure, the private partner will be responsible for designing, building, operating, and maintaining the helipad and its associated facilities. In return, the operator will generate revenue through helicopter landing and take-off services, with a fixed monthly payment to the civic body along with a variable revenue-sharing component. Urban finance experts note that such models allow municipalities to expand infrastructure capacity without significant upfront capital expenditure, while retaining long-term public ownership.
Civic officials indicated that the project scope extends beyond aviation infrastructure. The selected concessionaire will be required to integrate aesthetic and public-facing design elements that complement the Coastal Road precinct and improve the visual quality of the Worli waterfront. This includes architectural treatment, landscaping interfaces, and integration with existing pedestrian and vehicular access systems. From a regulatory standpoint, the helipad will be developed in compliance with national and international aviation safety standards, including requirements related to flight operations, navigation aids, lighting systems, and emergency response readiness. Supporting infrastructure such as fire safety mechanisms, ground handling zones, and fuel management systems will form part of the concession obligations.
Urban resilience specialists view the helipad as a functional addition to Mumbai’s disaster preparedness toolkit, particularly in a city increasingly exposed to climate-related risks such as flooding, extreme rainfall, and coastal emergencies. Quick aerial access can significantly reduce response times during medical emergencies and natural disasters, especially in congested urban conditions where surface mobility is constrained. The concession period has been structured as a long-term arrangement, allowing the private operator to recover investment while ensuring continuity of service. Officials confirmed that independent technical assessments have already validated the structural capacity of the jetty to support aviation-related loads, clearing a key prerequisite for project execution.
As Mumbai continues to layer new infrastructure onto its coastline, planners emphasise the importance of balancing utility, safety, and public interest. The Worli helipad project will serve as a test case for how specialised transport infrastructure can be integrated into dense urban environments while aligning with broader goals of resilience, safety, and responsible urban development.
Mumbai Civic Body Moves To Develop Helipad At Worli Jetty
