The issue of multi-storey buildings around Nagpur Airport allegedly exceeding the prescribed height limits has once again come under scrutiny. Addressing the Nagpur Airport handover ceremony on Thursday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari acknowledged that such constructions pose serious concerns for aviation safety. However, he noted that the approval process involving multiple government departments often results in unnecessary delays.
Gadkari stressed the need for better coordination and a streamlined clearance mechanism to ensure timely approvals while urging builders to strictly comply with the prescribed height restrictions during construction. The issue is significant, as 64 multi-storey residential buildings located near Nagpur Airport have been identified as posing challenges to aircraft operations and overall air safety.
What the Rules Say
Under existing regulations, obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is mandatory for any construction within a 20-kilometre radius of an airport. The online-issued NOC specifies the maximum permissible height for a proposed structure.
If a building exceeds the approved height, authorities are empowered to order demolition of the unauthorised portion. However, despite repeated requests from Mihan India Limited (MIL) and the airport management, no action has been taken against the violating structures in Nagpur.
64 Buildings in a High-Risk Zone
The issue of high-rise buildings around Nagpur Airport has remained unresolved for several years. Following last year’s Ahmedabad aircraft crash, safety audits and reviews around airports across the country have intensified, bringing the Nagpur case back into focus.
A joint survey conducted around three years ago by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) identified 64 residential buildings located within a highly sensitive, high-risk zone surrounding the airport. These structures have been flagged as potential obstacles to safe aircraft operations, underscoring the need for timely regulatory action.
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