Gujarat makes quarterly inspections mandatory to keep all helipads operational

Gandhinagar, Sep 3 (IANS) Gujarat has made quarterly inspections mandatory for all existing helipads across the state, with the Roads and Buildings Department directing officials to ensure the facilities remain in operational condition at all times.

Under guidelines issued through an official circular, Superintending Engineers will have to inspect every helipad under their jurisdiction at least once every three months.

Executive Engineers have been made responsible for ensuring that the helipads remain usable and that any defects or repair requirements identified during inspections are addressed immediately.

The new mechanism is aimed at ensuring that the landing facilities are available for immediate use during disasters, medical emergencies, relief and rescue operations, as well as visits by the Prime Minister, Chief Minister and other officials.

The directive places responsibility for regular monitoring and maintenance at different levels of the department.

While Executive Engineers will oversee the operational condition of the helipads, Superintending Engineers will periodically review their condition and maintenance within their respective jurisdictions.

The maintenance instructions cover the helipad surface and pavement, painted markings, drainage systems and approach areas.

Officials have also been directed to continuously monitor the sites for obstructions that could affect helicopter operations.

These include unauthorised encroachments, construction activity, stored materials, parked vehicles, garbage, bushes and shrubs.

The guidelines also specifically require the removal of unserviceable vehicles seized by government departments if they are kept on or around helipad premises.

The government said the measures were intended to ensure that helipads could be used safely and without delay whenever required, particularly during emergency response and relief operations.

Helipads are also used for the movement of senior officials during their visits to different parts of the state.

The Civil Aviation Department of Gujarat oversees aviation-related activities in the state, while the Roads and Buildings Department is responsible for infrastructure-related functions assigned to it.

The new inspection requirement creates a fixed quarterly review cycle rather than leaving helipad maintenance to ad hoc checks, with officials expected to rectify deficiencies promptly and keep the facilities continuously ready for use.

–IANS

mys/rad