Navi Mumbai Airport Sends Height Violation Notices: Could Your Building Be Affected? Check Here

A recent letter issued by Navi Mumbai International Airport Pvt Limited (NMIAL) to various housing societies has sparked concerns among residents, according to Hindustan Times (HT). The letter requests details regarding the heights of buildings constructed near the airport zone, raising fears of possible building demolitions. Several residents have expressed their unease, particularly those whose buildings were constructed years ago with official permissions from the Navi Mumbai civic body.

NMIAL, a company under the Adani Group tasked with constructing Navi Mumbai's international airport, cited a notification from the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding height restrictions within a 20-kilometre radius of the airport. These restrictions are put in place by the Civil Aviation Department to ensure the safety of aircraft by preventing tall buildings from interfering with flight paths.

Photo Credit: Instagram

Last year, NMIAL conducted an aeronautical survey and discovered that some structures may violate the prescribed height limits. As a result, NMIAL has sent notices to housing societies in areas such as Ulwe, Kharghar, and Sector 50E of Seawoods, Nerul. The notices focus on violations such as water tanks, hoardings, antennas, parapets, staircases, and other superstructures that may exceed the height restrictions.

The housing societies have been given 15 days to submit details about their buildings, including the top height, the dates of construction, copies of their approved building plans, occupation certificates, and any height clearance documents from the Airports Authority of India.

Several local leaders and activists have objected to these notices. Former corporator Netra Shirke, who has raised the issue with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and MLA Ganesh Naik, questioned NMIAL's authority. Shirke stated in HT, "These buildings were constructed long ago with NMMC's approval. What authority does NMIAL, a private entity, have to directly issue notices to citizens when the planning authority is the NMMC? Why are residents being troubled?"

Shirke also pointed out that features like water tanks and sheds are essential for buildings and noted that the airport's surveillance radar had been moved to Belapur's Dhakale island, which means the previous 55-meter height limit should no longer apply.

Former MLA and BJP city chief Sandeep Naik echoed these concerns, assuring residents that those with proper occupation certificates need not worry. He also mentioned that his father, MLA Ganesh Naik, would address the issue with the highest authorities, including the aviation minister.

Kailas Shinde, Municipal Commissioner of Navi Mumbai, explained in HT that the process is routine and in line with legal requirements. He stated that NMIAL, though a private entity, has been authorised by the government for airport development and is responsible for conducting these surveys. Shinde reassured that if NMIAL requests information about specific buildings, the civic body will provide the necessary data from its records.

An NMIAL official added that the notices are part of an information-gathering process required to obtain an aerodrome licence. He emphasised that the notices are based on the 2023 aeronautical survey and apply only to superstructures, such as water tanks and sheds, that violate height restrictions, not the buildings themselves.

The official also clarified that NMIAL had been asked by CIDCO to issue the notices, as required by law, and that the reports will be submitted to the Airports Authority of India.