As many as 64 high-rise buildings in the vicinity of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport have been found violating permissible height limits, posing potential safety risks to aircraft operations. Despite notices issued by MIHAN India Limited (MIL) directing owners to reduce the height of the structures, no corrective action has been taken, so far. A fresh Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) report is expected soon, even as concerns over aviation safety have intensified following air crash in Ahmedabad a year ago. A joint survey conducted three years ago by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) had identified 78 buildings exceeding height restrictions around the airport.

 

The number has now increased to 185, of which 64 buildings fall within the critical danger zone. Under aviation regulations, any construction within a 20-km radius of an airport requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the AAI through the NOCAS (No Objection Certificate Application System), an online platform that determines the maximum permissible height of structures around airports. If a building violates the prescribed limits, the offending portion can be demolished under the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions Caused by Buildings and Trees etc.) Rules, 1994, on the recommendation of the AAI. The issue first surfaced in 2018, when around 10 buildings, mainly in the Jaitala area, were found violating height norms. Although MIL repeatedly requested the NMC to initiate action, no demolition or corrective measures followed.

 

According to aviation officials, such obstacles trigger repeated Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) alerts in aircraft cockpits, increasing pilot workload during take-off and landing. With no action forthcoming, MIL had even proposed shortening the airport runway by 560 metres, a move that would have prevented larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320 from operating at Nagpur Airport, adversely affecting its future expansion and aspirations of becoming a major international aviation hub. Deputy Director of Town Planning, NMC, Ruturaj Gaikwad, said the civic body does not directly issue notices to violators. He said builders are required to obtain an AAI NOC before construction approval is granted and that action under the 1994 Rules can be initiated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) against illegal structures. With GMR Airports set to take over the management of Nagpur Airport, stakeholders are hopeful that stricter enforcement against height violations will finally be undertaken.

 

 

Officials said several developers continue to approach the NOCAS system seeking permission for additional height beyond permissible limits. In some instances, builders reportedly complete construction first and seek post-facto approvals later. One such case in Nagpur, involving a building constructed over five metres higher than the permitted limit, is currently pending before the court.