Government Clarifies No Environmental Clearance Required for New Heliports and Helipads

The Union <b>environment ministry</b> says <b>no prior clearance</b> under the <b>EIA Notification, 2006</b> is required for heliports and helipads, as they are not listed in its schedule. Earlier, such facilities needed full environmental impact assessments and approvals. The new clarification removes that step, enabling faster project launches overall, though some environmental NGOs caution that reduced scrutiny may overlook local ecological risks. Authorities expect quicker significant heliport development nationwide, while urging balanced oversight to protect ecosystems.