BANGALORE: The wait for builders offering helipads along with other facilities such as gyms, swimming pools and club houses on buildings may get shorter.
Sources said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was planning to "decentralise" these functions.
A proposal has been floated to set up a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that would make the builders' wait for permission shorter.
The proposed authority will have centres across the nation, including in Bangalore. Sources said once this proposal was complete, the regional centres would be able to assess the situation and give the necessary permission.
Builders have to wait for months to get the necessary licences and permissions to construct helipads, which fetch them higher prices for their buildings.
In the current procedure, all permissions are obtained from the centre in Delhi.
The wait is prolonged as many states apply for permission at the same time.
"It is a long process," said an official on condition of anonymity. "Once they receive the applications, they have to be carefully studied and there has to be a site inspection."
The parties concerned also have to get permission of the Ministry of Aviation and the Ministry of Defence.
Then, the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) has to check the "tunnelling" of the aircraft and must ensure that the same does not interfere with the Bangalore International Airport (BIA) traffic.
Once the procedures are completed, the builder can approach the city corporation to allow construction and has to adhere to building bylaws.
According to Palike officials, there were approximately around 15 buildings in the city have helipads.