State government has assured the relocation of Airports Authority of India (AAI) transmission towers from DN Nagar in Andheri (West) within the next six to eight months. The move could unlock stalled redevelopment projects impacting hundreds of ageing residential buildings affected by aviation-related height restrictions. The issue, which has hampered infrastructure growth across the densely populated neighbourhoods of Gulmohar and DN Nagar, was taken up during the current Assembly session following long-standing demands from residents and elected representatives.
Several old buildings in the region, many built in the 1970s and 1980s, have fallen into disrepair. Yet, their redevelopment remained financially unviable due to the height constraints imposed by the AAI’s transmission infrastructure. According to senior government officials, two alternate sites have already been proposed to the AAI for relocating the towers, and the discussions are at an advanced stage. An official informed the Assembly that if the relocation fails to take place within the stipulated timeline, the state is willing to consider amendments to the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR). This amendment would include a provision for floating Floor Space Index (FSI) to facilitate the redevelopment of affected buildings without compromising aviation safety norms.
The assurance has brought relief to over 400 residential societies, primarily occupied by middle-class families, that have long struggled to navigate a bureaucratic maze of aviation regulations and civic limitations. The lack of redevelopment had led to safety concerns and growing frustration among residents who were unable to avail the benefits of newer, safer, and greener buildings. In 2019, the AAI imposed a no-objection clause on buildings falling within a defined radius of its transmission stations, restricting vertical expansion and effectively stalling construction activity. The proposed shift of the towers could provide the necessary clearance for initiating long-delayed redevelopment plans that support sustainable urban density and better living standards.
Experts in urban planning have welcomed the move, calling it a necessary intervention to balance aviation safety with the rights of citizens to live in secure and structurally sound buildings. They also emphasised the need for consistent policies that facilitate environmentally responsible and socially inclusive redevelopment. If completed as promised, the relocation of the towers will mark a step forward in reimagining Mumbai’s ageing urban fabric, aligning with broader objectives of equitable and sustainable urbanisation.
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