In a big relief for the development of Navi Mumbai International Airport, the realty sector and the project-affected people (PAPs), the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced relaxation in height restrictions around the airport. This will lead to faster development of projects while PAPs will benefit as their lands are involved in big transactions. With this the individual applications will have to be made to AAI for height clearance.
The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), which is the nodal agency for the Navi Mumbai airport, said that the Airports Authority of India has approved shifting of the site of airport surveillance radar 1 (ASR1) to Dhakale Island from the present site near DPS Nerul. This would resolve several issues of height restrictions that evolved since 2018.
CIDCO vice chairman and managing director Sanjay Mukherjee said, ‘’AAI has agreed to commence grant of height NOCs for buildings with a planned elevation of more than 55.10m above mean sea level (AMSL) and upto the elevation of 160.10m AMSL based on Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) criteria as per guidelines specified by DGCA India.”
Earlier, AAI had restricted grant of height NOC’s up to 55.10 m AMSL only, for all projects within a 20 km radius of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NIMA) since February 2020, to avoid the creation of possible obstacles within the air space of NMIA. He further added, ‘’The approval will speed up development in the region as Town Planning Authorities in Navi Mumbai and NAINA were facing difficulties in granting construction approvals & OC for various residential & commercial projects planned/completed/under progress since last more than 2 years.’’
Mukherjee said that AAI is likely to commence such a NOC process within the first week of August 2022. The applicants have to make an application to AAI for seeking permissions above 55.1 m AMSL. ‘’This citizen-friendly decision will pave the way for the smooth development of Navi Mumbai International Airport, complementing the growth of not just the surrounding NMIA area but the entire MMR region as a whole,’’ he noted.
On the other hand, ANAROCK Chairman Anuj Puri said that relaxation in height restrictions around the NMIA resolves the uncertainties which had beset the airport’s catchment area. ‘’The height relaxation will lead to faster development and completion of projects in this critical zone and allow developers to fully utilise the floor space index. This will lead to better profitability for builders and also improved revenue collections for the state government exchequer,‘’ he observed.
Further, the Natconnect (which is an environment focused NGO) director BN Kumar said, ‘’It is a good development and clears a lot of air, literally, in the development of real estate projects around the NMIA. However, CIDCO must care for mangroves and wetlands while leasing out plots. We are not against development but it must be balanced with the environment protection.’’
