Mukesh Ambani's plan of helipad on residence rooftop runs aground

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Ambani had earlier applied for permission to build a helipad on the roof of Sea Wind, the 19-storey building located in the posh Cuff Parade. The Ministry of Environment and Forests, had then granted the approval but has now ordered a stay on the project.

In a letter addressed to M/s Ruchi Properties Private Limited, the developers assigned by Ambani to build the helipad, the ministry said that as per CRZ notification of 1991, development of helipads in such coastal regulation zone area other than Lakshadweep and Andaman is not permissible.

The letter also accused the developer of misleading the authority as it had failed to mention the applicability of CRZ when it had requested permission for the construction of the helipad.

The ministry's order comes close on the heels of local civic body, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ordering Ambani to pay a fine of Rs.2.43 lakh (approx. $5785) for progressing with the construction of the helipad without getting the necessary approvals.

BMC had earlier ordered the construction company to get 13 no objection certificates (NOCs) from various agencies including the urban development department of the government of Maharashtra, the Collector of Mumbai, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, before beginning the construction of the helipad. However, the company had failed to comply with the order and was illegally carrying on the construction.

Subsequently, local citizens groups had protested against the construction as it would cause severe damage to the local ecosystem and brought the matter to the notice of the BMC and MoEF.

And now, the latest setback is also going to put a question mark on the proposed helipad, which Ambani plans to build on the roof of his new home Antilla.

Mukesh Ambani is ranked as the world's fifth richest man by Forbes and is worth an estimated $43 billion. Besides owning several luxury cars, he also has a fleet of private jets and plans to build a private airport near Mumbai.

Earlier this year, Forbes reported that Antilla, the 550 feet high 27-storey structure (equivalent in height to a normal 60-storey structure) would boast of 4,00,000 square feet of interior space when it is completed in January 2009 and will be the world's most expensive home at $2 billion.