Entry permits to tanker trucks: Private helicopter operators, security officials in standoff

Tanker trucks that ferry fuel and oil for helicopter services enter the premises through the first gate. Private operators complained that the frequency of trips inside the premises were getting affected, thereby affecting productivity, due to hurdles faced at the entry gate.

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“The time taken to check the trucks and issue the required entry papers takes at least an hour or two on a daily basis. As our choppers need immediate re-fueling, such wastage of time affects our business regularly,” said a representative of a private operator.

The tanker trucks, when they enter the premises, need to submit their driving licence, registration copy of the vehicle and insurance papers at the gate. They also need to fill up an entry form.

Claiming this to be a tedious process, an official with a private operator said, “Issuing a pass for a regular job at the airport has become a laborious process. Among the fleet of 60-70 trucks, it is impossible for us to keep track of which truck is coming at what time. As we have paid enough money to operate inside the premises, we request the operator authorities to offer quick redressal to our issues.”

Airport authorities claimed they were only following rules. “Juhu airport is a hypersensitive zone and thus strict security is a must. As per Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCAS) norms, we cannot allow a vehicle without following the mandated set of rules. As Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) is mandatory for a vehicle to enter inside an airport premises, in no way can the rules be watered down for any vehicle,” said a senior security official with AAI.