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India Eyes Air Taxis Using Rooftop Landing Pads to Slash Urban Travel Time

A CII report proposes establishing an air corridor in Delhi-NCR using electric air taxis to drastically reduce urban travel times. It highlights using building rooftops as cost-effective landing and parking spots to avoid expensive land acquisition. The report calls for regulatory changes, including a dedicated DGCA team to set safety standards for these new aircraft. It also recommends starting with drone cargo services and creating special funding mechanisms to develop this advanced air mobility ecosystem.

Key Points: India Plans Air Taxis with Rooftop Landing to Beat Traffic

  • Pilot air corridor for Gurugram, CP & Jewar Airport
  • Rooftops as cheaper landing pads for eVTOLs
  • Need for new DGCA regulations & safety standards
  • Initial use of drones for cargo and medical supply
2 min read

Rooftops could turn into landing pads as India eyes air taxis to beat traffic

A new CII report proposes air corridors and rooftop landing pads for eVTOL air taxis in Indian cities to cut travel from hours to minutes.

"The integration of Advanced Air Mobility reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and world-class urban connectivity. - Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu"

New Delhi, February 8

A new report by the Confederation of Indian Industry suggests that setting up a pilot air corridor connecting Gurugram, Connaught Place, and Jewar International Airport could help India cut travel time from hours to minutes. This model is seen as a high-impact solution to urban traffic jams that could be scaled up across the country.

The report, titled "Navigating the Future of Advanced Air Mobility in India," was launched by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu. He stated that the country's aviation sector is moving toward a "high-tech, multi-dimensional mobility ecosystem."

A key highlight of the report is the use of rooftops as landing and parking spots for electric air taxis, known as eVTOLs. This would turn existing buildings into revenue earners. Since buying land for ground-based landing pads is very expensive, rooftops offer a cheaper and faster way to start these services in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

"The integration of Advanced Air Mobility reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and world-class urban connectivity," said Union Minister Kinjarapu. He added that the report provides a "timely and practical blueprint to realise a faster, cleaner, and more connected India."

However, the report notes that current rules do not yet allow regular commercial flights from rooftops. To fix this, it suggests creating a special team within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to set safety and operational standards for these new flying technologies.

Amit Dutta, Chairman of the CII Task Force on Advanced Air Mobility, explained that the study helps move the idea from a dream to a reality.

"By analysing a hypothetical Delhi-NCR corridor through structured modelling and regulatory scenario testing, this study moves from concept to operational assessment," Dutta said. He noted that it addresses the "regulatory, infrastructure, and airspace challenges associated with early AAM pilots."

The report also recommends using drones first for moving cargo and medical supplies over 50-100 km. It suggests that places like GIFT City or Andhra Pradesh could be used as testing zones where some rules are relaxed to help the technology grow. To fund this, the CII has called on banks and government agencies to create special funds for air mobility infrastructure.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Sounds exciting but my first thought is about safety and noise. Will these eVTOLs be buzzing over residential areas? And what about the cost? Will this just be another luxury service for the rich while the common man remains stuck in jams? Need more clarity.
V
Vikram M
Using rooftops is a brilliant jugaad to avoid expensive land acquisition. Typical Indian smart thinking! Starting with cargo drones for medical supplies in places like Andhra Pradesh is a very practical first step. Let's walk before we run.
S
Sarah B
As someone who lives in Gurugram and works in CP, I would pay a premium for this service. My daily commute is 2+ hours of pure stress. If this can bring it down to 15-20 minutes, it's worth every rupee. Hope they prioritize this corridor.
R
Rohit P
Great vision, but our ground infrastructure is still so poor. Can we get the basics right first? Reliable electricity, good roads, clean public transport? Feels like we're aiming for a skyscraper when the foundation is weak. A respectful criticism.
K
Kavya N
The sustainability angle is key. Electric air taxis could significantly reduce pollution if powered by renewable energy. This, combined with better metros and buses, could truly transform urban mobility. Let's hope the funding and political will are there.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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