A video that has gone viral on social media shows tourists from Karnataka performing a stunt at the Aguada helipad. This raises a serious question about the use and security of public helipads. In the incident, three tourists are seen standing on an SUV that was being pulled by another tourist. The three reportedly fell from the vehicle, with two sustaining injuries. Beyond the immediate incident, there is a larger issue that deserves attention. Which is whether tourists should be allowed unrestricted access to helipads at all? A helipad is specifically designed for helicopters to land and take off, and its surface and surrounding area have to be maintained to appropriate safety standards. Many helipads are constructed and maintained using public money. If a helipad is operational or intended for emergency, VIP or other aviation-related use, unrestricted tourist access should not be permitted. Safety of helicopter operations should not be compromised. The incident should serve as a warning rather than merely becoming another viral video. The government must ensure that helipads remain safe, while making it clear that public infrastructure is not necessarily a public playground.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
