BJP Minister Urges Aerial Emergency Facilities for Mumbai's Coastal Corridors
In the wake of a severe gas tanker accident on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway that left passengers stranded for over 36 hours, Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar has called for enhanced emergency preparedness for the city's vital coastal routes. The incident has highlighted critical gaps in disaster response capabilities.
Proposal for Helipad at Bandra Reclamation
Shelar, a prominent BJP leader, has formally submitted a representation to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, advocating for the immediate construction of a helipad at Bandra Reclamation. This strategic location is situated near the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, with Shelar emphasizing that sufficient space is available at the site for this crucial infrastructure project.
The minister stressed that rapid decision-making and swift implementation by relevant agencies are now imperative.
Addressing Emergency Challenges on Critical Infrastructure
The proposal specifically targets the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, the upcoming Versova-Bandra Sea Link, and the extensive Coastal Road project. Shelar's representation outlines significant concerns regarding emergency management on these corridors, particularly given their unique structural features.
"The Coastal Road includes complex underground tunnels and extensive over-sea stretches," the representation notes. "In scenarios involving accidents, fires, or natural disasters, providing immediate and effective emergency response presents a formidable challenge."
Key difficulties identified include:
- Rapid evacuation of injured individuals from difficult-to-access locations
- Swift deployment and movement of security forces during crises
- Timely access for fire services, medical teams, and other emergency responders
Strategic Benefits of Aerial Emergency Capabilities
Shelar articulated multiple advantages that a dedicated helipad would bring to Mumbai's emergency response framework:
- Air Ambulance Operations: Enabling swift aerial evacuation of critically injured persons during emergencies on the Coastal Road and Sea Links
- Hospital Access: Facilitating rapid transport to major medical facilities like Lilavati Hospital and other nearby hospitals
- Inter-Agency Coordination: Enhancing collaboration among disaster management agencies, police departments, fire services, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other critical response units
The minister emphasized that this initiative would substantially strengthen long-term emergency preparedness plans for Mumbai, which serves as India's densely populated financial capital and requires robust disaster management protocols.
This call to action follows the recent expressway accident that exposed vulnerabilities in current emergency response systems, prompting demands for more future-ready infrastructure solutions.
