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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Bhujbal’s chopper lands in Pune parking lot

Mumbai : In what is suspected to be a breach of aviation protocols, a chartered helicopter ferrying Food & Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal from Mumbai to Pune skipped a designated helipad and landed in a vehicle parking lot almost a km away.   The shocker happened in Purandar taluka, where Bhujbal was slated to attend a function marking the 200 th  birth anniversary of the social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in his home village Khanwadi.   As crowds of bewildered people watched...

Bhujbal’s chopper lands in Pune parking lot

Mumbai : In what is suspected to be a breach of aviation protocols, a chartered helicopter ferrying Food & Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal from Mumbai to Pune skipped a designated helipad and landed in a vehicle parking lot almost a km away.   The shocker happened in Purandar taluka, where Bhujbal was slated to attend a function marking the 200 th  birth anniversary of the social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in his home village Khanwadi.   As crowds of bewildered people watched from around the sprawling parking lot, the helicopter appeared to drop speed in its flight, flew over some overhead high-tension electric cables, and descended gingerly into the parking lot - raising a thick dust-storm in which it disappeared for seconds - before touching the ground.   Moments later, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) senior leader Bhujbal and others stepped out of the chopper, looked around in the unfamiliar territory before several vehicles and police teams rushed there. Minutes before there was chaos and confusion with some locals shouting warnings at the ‘wrong landing’.   Eyewitnesses said that the chopper’s powerful rotors created a thick dust storm and sparked alarm among the people in the vicinity, and many scrambled to the spot to check what exactly was going on in the parking lot.   Later, the Pune Police said that a designated helipad was available for the chopper landing but were at a loss to explain how the pilot missed it and veered off quite a distance away in the vehicle parking space. Subsequently, they asked the pilot to fly it to the correct landing spot.   Shaken and angry local NCP leaders questioned how a pilot flying a VIP on an official trip could mistake a parking lot for a helipad when the weather and visibility was clear. They demanded to know whether the helipad was improperly marked or it was a question of communication or sheer negligence.   The Pune Police indicated that they would report the matter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which may take action against the errant pilot and the helicopter company.   “There was no accident. We all emerged safely. The helicopter pilot landed wrongly in a parking lot because the helipad was not visible. All of us are fine and there is nothing to worry,” said Bhujbal, before he was whisked off by his security team.   “There are many faults in numerous airplanes and helicopters, including maintenance issues and other problems. That's why I keep saying consistently that VIPs must exercise caution while flying. Fortunately, an accident was averted today, but that doesn't mean the authorities should be negligent. We expect the government to take urgent precautions.” Rohit R. Pawar, MLA, NCP (SP)

Civil Defence course to be introduced in Mumbai University curriculum

  • PTI
  • May 11, 2025
  • 2 min read


Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has decided to introduce a civil defence course in the Mumbai University curriculum, acknowledging the key role the volunteer-based emergency response mechanism can play during emergencies amid a spotlight on the Indo-Pakistan conflict that necessitated mock drill exercises.


The government is also trying to strengthen the Directorate of Civil Defence, beset by multiple issues ranging from manpower crunch to paltry daily allowance and logistical problems, including inadequate sirens, vehicles and ambulances.


The Directorate of Civil Defence and the University of Mumbai recently signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU), finalising the inclusion of the Civil Defence course in the academic curriculum, Director of Civil Defence Prabhat Kumar told PTI.


This course will be taught in all engineering colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai and will carry a weightage of 25 marks.


"Students who wish to serve the nation while pursuing their education will get an opportunity through this course," Kumar said, adding that students will be trained in rescue operations and saving lives during emergencies.


They will also be prepared to work alongside government and civic agencies, such as disaster management cells, fire brigades, and hospitals, especially during emergency and war-like situations.


The spotlight on civil defence has intensified following mock drills conducted across coastal districts and Pune, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.


These drills aimed to raise awareness among volunteers and the general public.


The mock drills involved around 10,000 volunteers from Civil Defence, Home Guard, NDRF, and other emergency response agencies.


An official said the government is taking appropriate steps to strengthen civil defence, and its revival is underway.


The Directorate of Civil Defence has long struggled with shortages in manpower, vehicles (including rescue vans and ambulances), sirens, and training equipment.


However, these requirements are likely to be fulfilled soon, he said.


Although the sanctioned manpower for Civil Defence is 420 personnel, operations are being carried out with only 135 staff members across the state.


He said some units, like those in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, have only one full-time government employee each.


"In emergencies, Civil Defence needs its ambulances and vehicles. However, many of the existing vehicles are in poor condition, with some on the verge of being scrapped," the official noted.


Volunteers currently receive a daily allowance of Rs 150 for their service. A proposal has been submitted to the government to increase this amount to Rs 500 per day.


He added that in addition to the proposed allowance hike, proposals for increasing manpower, training equipment, and sirens have also been submitted. The government is positive about meeting these demands.

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