Focus on Aerial Emergency Facilities for Bandra–Worli Sea Link and Coastal Road: Guardian Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar

Mumbai, Feb 2026 : In the wake of a serious emergency situation caused by a gas tanker overturning on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway two days ago, which left commuters stranded for several hours, Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar has stressed the need to further strengthen emergency management systems on key infrastructure corridors. Emphasis is being placed on enhancing emergency preparedness and response mechanisms on the Bandra–Worli Sea Link, the Versova–Bandra–Worli Sea Link, and the entire Coastal Road, keeping in mind potential future risks. He said that concerned agencies have been instructed to submit proposals in this regard.

In a memorandum sent to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Adv. Shelar noted that providing an immediate and effective response during accidents, fires, or natural disasters on such critical routes could pose a major challenge. He pointed out that the Coastal Road, being a route that passes through tunnels and over the sea, presents unique difficulties, particularly in quickly transporting the injured to hospitals, ensuring swift movement of security agencies, and enabling the rapid deployment of emergency services.

Against this backdrop, the Guardian Minister highlighted the importance of establishing a helipad near the Sea Link in the Bandra Reclamation area, along with identifying and securing the necessary space for such a facility. The proposal aims to enable the rapid evacuation of injured persons by air ambulances during emergencies on the Coastal Road and Sea Link.

Adv. Shelar further stated that the creation of helipad facilities would significantly improve inter-agency coordination among disaster management authorities, police, fire services, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other relevant agencies. These measures, he said, are being taken with a long-term vision to strengthen Mumbai’s emergency preparedness framework, especially given the city’s status as a densely populated financial capital where swift and coordinated emergency responses are critical.