In a desperate move, the ministry is scouting for new sites and has zeroed in on Punjabi Bagh.

“An Indian Oil depot at Punjabi Bagh is in the process of being re-located. We have identified it as a probable site for the heliport as its location—the Ring Road is in front of this land and a Metro line is also due—serves the purpose.

A few DDA officials were taken on an aerial tour of the area last week. We are now awaiting the DDA’s response,” an official of Civil Aviation ministry said.

The DDA, however, has offered other “possible” locations to the ministry.

“The ministry suggested Punjabi Bagh but, as per zonal plan, a disaster management centre is planned at this site. We suggested Narela and Gazipur as they are close to Indira Gandhi International airport, apart from world-class infrastructure set to come up there in the next few years. No decision has been taken yet,” a senior DDA official said.

Now, the ministry is considering getting two airports in NCR—one in Delhi, developed by state-owned Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited (PHHL) and the other on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis either in Noida or Gurgaon.

Civil Aviation ministry officials say talks are on with both Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments for possible locations in the NCR.

“In Haryana, we would prefer a location in Gurgaon but the state government is keen on building a heliport at Jhajjar; that is too far and does not suit our purpose. We recently approached the UP Chief Secretary for a site in Noida,” a senior ministry official said.

“While Pawan Hans will implement the Delhi project, the NCR heliport could be developed on a PPP basis with the heliport being operated by the private partner,” the official said.

Officials said just 20-25 acre is required for development of the heliport, complete with a runway, hangar area and a small terminal and would take 15-17 months to develop it.