The Maharashtra government on Wednesday informed the Bombay High Court that it had agreed to provide open spaces in the vicinity of suburban railway stations to set up helipads and facilitate airlifting of train mishap victims to nearby hospitals.
In an affidavit, Joint Secretary of the Urban Development Department, Rajan Khop stated that the proposed locations suggested by the Central Railway (CR) are open spaces used as recreational grounds or playgrounds. "The Development Control Rules are presently silent regarding use of helipads in such open spaces."
The government also said that it will soon move a proposal, before the Cabinet for approval, to carry out an amendment to the Mumbai Regional Town Planning Act in order to permit temporary use of play grounds for purpose of disaster management, including helicopter operations.
The affidavit was filed by Additional Government Pleader B V Sharma while hearing a suo moto public interest litigation seeking to increase the height of suburban station platforms to avoid accidents.
In April, the CR had written to the Maharashtra government, seeking allottment of space for helipads near railway stations. However, it has not yet received any reply from the state.
Suresh Kumar, advocate for railways, said the CR has around 12 sites on Harbour Line where helicopters could land. They have also identified another 14 properties that can be used to airlift victims in case of major railway disasters.
The court also dismissed an intervention application filed by one Deepak Kanti seeking directions to the railways for proper fixation of train timetables and not to have mega blocks on weekends for maintenance. The court noted that it was a policy decision and the court could not interfere in the working of the railways, which is operated with the assistance of experts.
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