This story is from July 9, 2015

MLA to propose free parking for first two airlines

Promoters of Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd (MEHAIR) had a meeting with BJP MLA Devyani Pharande on Wednesday evening during which she assured all support for the air services and promised to try for free-of-cost parking for the plane.
MLA to propose free parking for first two airlines
NASHIK: Promoters of Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd (MEHAIR) had a meeting with BJP MLA Devyani Pharande on Wednesday evening during which she assured all support for the air services and promised to try for free-of-cost parking for the plane.
The promoters of the air services currently have to pay parking fees to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Ozar, which, according to them, “is a big amount”.

“The aircraft has to be parked in the Ozar airport, for which they a big amount. After 3 pm, the charge is Rs 4,000 an hour. There are additional charges, which make the operations extremely expensive for the aviation company,” said Pharande.
“I will talk to the chief minister and will try to convince him to make the parking for the first two air services in Nashik free. Only then will the air services last,” she added.
The promoters also had a discussion about the controversial seaplane service on Gangapur dam which was their original plan but had to be put on hold because of a litigation in the high court. “We spoke to the MLA about the seaplane services on Gangapur dam and she assured us all help,” said Siddharth Verma, Co-Founder and Director, MEHAIR.
About the litigation, he said, “The case has not yet been admitted and we have all the necessary permissions. We will land only for 10 minutes on a floating platform on the dam.”

Pharande said she would facilitate a meeting between the promoters and the district collector. “Gangapur is closer to the city than Ozar and it will be convenient for the citizens. I will facilitate a meeting with the district collector and the aviation company and ask him to give them the permission to start the air service.”
Environment activists have been opposing the seaplane services claiming that the planes will disturb the resident and migratory birds. They had protested against the seaplane service during the trial landing of the aircraft raising concerns about the security, pollution and effect on the migratory birds. They had also filed a petition against the company and the government in the Bombay high court in December 2014. Notices were served to the respondents in April. The case is yet to be heard.
The backwaters of the dam, which is a habitat of grassland birds, have been the focus of environmental activists ever since tourism activities such as the boat club, resort and seaplane landing were being planned. Both residential and migratory birds are seen at the spot.
Environmental activists say the dam has been identified as one of the important bird areas of India and also as priority site for conservation in the journal of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
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