The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced stringent height-control rules for all new and existing structures surrounding Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), tightening oversight to safeguard aircraft operations and curb recurring violations.
According to details emerging, under the updated system, the areas encircling the airport have been segmented into colour-coded height-regulation zones. Crucially, every construction proposal—regardless of its location—must now obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) before any building activity can proceed.
To eliminate the risk of structures intruding into the Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS), the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will collaborate directly with airport authorities while verifying Building Use (BU) permissions. Officials noted that BU approvals will only be granted after the elevation of the site is independently confirmed, and structures lacking proper clearance may face sealing, utility disconnection, penalties, or even demolition.
These measures follow detailed aeronautical surveys and safety audits conducted over the past two years, which identified numerous OLS infringements. After a 2022 assessment, the DGCA issued 46 demolition notices in January 2024 under the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions) Rules, 1994. Of these, 28 owners have complied, four cases are under appeal, one awaits an aeronautical study, and the remaining 13 have been marked by AMC for removal.
Airport authorities have further instructed AMC, AUDA and local bodies to carry out on-ground elevation checks before sanctioning construction heights, noting frequent mismatches between declared plinth levels and actual site elevations—discrepancies that contributed significantly to earlier violations.
The tightened regime comes at a time when aviation safety in Ahmedabad has drawn heightened public attention. Earlier this year, an Air India flight had crashed in Ahmedabad within seconds of take-off from the airport.
Also Read: Centre Issues Draft Rules For Constructions Near Airports https://www.vibesofindia.com/centre-issues-draft-rules-for-constructions-near-airports/
