Helipads to Be Mandatory on High-Rise Buildings in Bengaluru, Says D.K. Shivakumar

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday announced at Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru that the State government will make building helipads mandatory on high-rise structures across the city to aid rescue operations during emergencies.

Speaking after inaugurating a specialised training programme conducted by the National Security Guard (NSG) for Karnataka police personnel, Mr. Shivakumar urged builders and developers to allocate rooftop space on tall buildings. He stated that the government would grant permissions for helipads within the existing legal framework to handle critical incidents like fire mishaps.

"High-rise buildings are increasing in the city. If fire accidents or terrorist attacks unfold, protecting citizens is our duty. In such emergency situations, to save lives by using helipads, our government will hold talks with military and air force officials for an agreement," the Chief Minister said. He noted that constructing a helipad would be made compulsory wherever feasible.

During the event, Mr. Shivakumar also announced a 50% hike in the hardship allowance for State police personnel. Recalling his earlier tenure as the Minister in charge of prisons, he noted the round-the-clock challenges faced by the force and commended their service to the state and country.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge, who also addressed the gathering, emphasised the necessity of modernising police operations. He stated that the police force must continuously enhance its forensic capabilities, cyber investigations, data-driven policing, and rapid response mechanisms to tackle emerging forms of crime.

The month-long NSG training programme commenced on Friday to train approximately 500 Karnataka police officers drawn from various operational and support units. The curriculum covers counter-terrorism interventions, counter-drone operations, unarmed combat, close protection, sniper training, tactical hostage negotiations, K9 operations, counter-IED operations, tactical driving, and bomb disposal.

The inaugural event featured operational demonstrations by the NSG alongside first-responder drills by the Karnataka State Police and the Garuda Force, highlighting coordinated response strategies during security breaches and emergency situations.