Mumbai: Ashish Shelar Urges CM Fadnavis to Set Up Helipad Near Sea Link for Faster Emergency Response

Proposal follows Pune–Mumbai Expressway tanker accident; minister calls for stronger disaster management on Coastal Road and Bandra-Worli Sea Link corridors.

Mumbai, February 7, 2026: Maharashtra’s Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Adv. Ashish Shelar, has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urging immediate steps to improve emergency response systems on Mumbai’s key transport routes, including the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Versova-Bandra Coastal Road and the larger Coastal Road network.

In his letter, Shelar referred to the recent gas tanker accident on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway, which caused massive traffic congestion and left commuters stranded for more than 36 hours without food and water. He said the incident exposed serious weaknesses in emergency management on major highways and caused great hardship to passengers, especially women and children.

Shelar warned that if a similar accident, fire or natural disaster were to occur on Mumbai’s Sea Link or Coastal Road — particularly in tunnel sections or sea-facing stretches — rescue and relief operations could become extremely challenging. He said evacuating injured persons, deploying security forces and ensuring quick emergency services would be difficult without proper infrastructure.

To strengthen preparedness, Shelar has proposed setting up a helipad near Bandra Reclamation, close to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. He stated that adequate land is available at the location and that the proposal has previously been discussed with MSRDC officials.

वांद्रे–वरळी सी लिंक व कोस्टल रोडसाठी हवाई आपत्कालीन सुविधा आवश्यक

पुणे–मुंबई द्रुतगती मार्गावर दोन दिवसांपूर्वी गॅस टँकर उलटून गंभीर आपत्कालीन परिस्थिती निर्माण झाली होती, या पार्श्वभूमीवर भविष्यातील संभाव्य धोके लक्षात घेऊन वांद्रे–वरळी सी लिंक, वर्सोवा–वांद्रे वरळी सी लिंक… pic.twitter.com/pBNrZT10rk

— Adv. Ashish Shelar – ॲड. आशिष शेलार (@ShelarAshish) February 6, 2026

According to the minister, the helipad would allow air ambulances to quickly transport injured persons during emergencies on the Sea Link and Coastal Road. It would also provide faster access to nearby hospitals such as Lilavati Hospital and other major medical centres in the area. Additionally, it would improve coordination between disaster management teams, police, fire brigade, NDRF and other emergency agencies.

Shelar said the move would strengthen Mumbai’s long-term emergency response plan and make the city better prepared to handle large-scale disasters in its busy and economically important urban areas.

He has requested the Chief Minister to take swift decisions on the proposal and direct the concerned authorities to implement it at the earliest.