On 18-6-2025, the Ministry of Aviation notified Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions Caused by Buildings and Trees, etc.) Rules, 2025, as a significant step to overhaul India’s aviation safety architecture. The move comes amid rising concerns over urban encroachment and unauthorized structures threatening safe flight operations near aerodromes.
Key points:
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The new draft rules are framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, to ensure aviation safety by addressing physical obstructions like buildings and trees, etc., that disrupt the height restrictions around airports.
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These rules will empower the Director General of Civil Aviation (‘DGCA’) to act decisively against buildings or trees that breach the height restrictions issued under Section 18 of the Act.
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Upon execution of these rules, it will repeal Aircraft (Demolition of obstructions caused by Buildings and Trees etc.) Rules, 1994, enabling authorities to take timely action against structures, that exceed permissible height limits around airports.
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The authorities will ensure that potential obstructions are identified, notifying the same to the owners. After being notified, owners will be required to provide structural details to the Authorities.
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Aerodrome officials will make sure to check the site in person, after giving the owner advance notice. If the owner doesn’t co-operate, the officials can still send their report based on available information gathered.
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DGCA will take necessary actions such as demolitions, alteration in height of the structures around, etc. if any structure is found to be violating the provisions.
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Non-compliance with orders within 60 days may result in enforcement by the District Collector, who is authorized to proceed with demolition or modification under standard procedures for unauthorized constructions.
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Affected individuals may appeal such orders under Section 33 of the Act, through a prescribed procedure that includes submission of supporting documents and a Rs. 1,000 fee.
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Compensations will be made available for lawful pre-existing structures but not for violations committed after the duly notified dates.
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These rules lay out a clear, step-by-step administrative and legal process to ensuring aviation safety by identifying structures violating height restrictions near airports, by assessing, altering and removing them, if found necessary.
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The Government has invited public inputs, suggestions, objections on these draft rules, within 21 days, all addressing to the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Opposite Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi-110003 or to be mailed to dgoffice.dgca@nic.in, before the final rules are notified.