In A Boost To UDAN 5.1, Govt Simplifies Heliport License Grant Process

In furtherance to its UDAN 5.1 initiative focusing on helicopter routes, the Central government has simplified the process for the grant of Heliport License. Now the applications for no-objection certificate (NOC) or clearance to five external organizations can be routed through a single tab in the applicant's eGCA profile.

This step is certainly going to boost the government's recently launched UDAN 5.1 scheme which aims at further enhancing the connectivity to remote areas of the country and achieve last mile connectivity, including through helicopters. This way, the scheme targets coverage of a much larger number of routes.

According to Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, there is a growing appetite for helicopters in aiding tourism. Greater helicopter penetration will help boost tourism, hospitality, and thus, the country's local economies, he added.

The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) grants Heliport License or Operational Authorisation to the heliports at the surface level as well as at elevated or rooftop of the buildings in compliance with Aircraft Rules and the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements.

Applicants desirous of obtaining a license or authorization are now required to submit an online application to DGCA through the eGCA portal. The process has now been simplified and a separate tab has been provided in the applicant's eGCA profile.

The applications for NOC or clearance to five external organizations can be routed through this tab through the URL link or email of the organizations. They can now apply for NOC or clearance through a single-window provided on the eGCA portal.

Earlier, before submitting the online applications, applicants were required to get clearances from the Ministries of Home, Defence and Environment & Forest as well as the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the local administration through online or physical mode to obtain the NOC or clearance.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has laid special focus on ease of doing business. The eGCA (e-Governance in DGCA) portal was launched in November 2021 with an aim to enhance the efficiency of the various services provided by the DGCA. The ministry said this simplification initiative will further ease and ensure the successes of UDAN 5.1.

The government launched the special edition of UDAN with a special focus on helicopter routes. As of now, 46 helicopter routes have been operationalised under previous rounds of the scheme benefiting a number of hilly and North-East States.

The scheme has been designed after consultations with all stakeholders including helicopter operators. While the intended target is to provide last-mile connectivity, it is also projected to give the helicopter segment of the Indian civil aviation industry a much needed boost.

It will be another step towards realising the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making air travel to remote destinations of the country affordable for the common man.