Noida International Airport, Indian authorities have imposed a stringent twenty-kilometre protection zone, mandating prior height clearance for all construction and tree planting activities. This comprehensive regulation, driven by the Airport Authority of India (AAI), requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before any vertical development proceeds within the designated perimeter. The directive marks a heightened national commitment to safeguarding navigable airspace, preserving the integrity of flight paths, and eliminating potential hazards to Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) as the greenfield airport prepares for operations.
This strategic enforcement underscores the critical importance of maintaining obstacle-free airspace, particularly as the Noida International Airport, a cornerstone of regional connectivity and economic growth, nears its operational phase. The new advisory extends its reach to a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including real estate developers, individual landowners, municipal authorities, commercial enterprises, and local governing bodies. All are now legally obligated to adhere to the stringent aviation safety standards outlined in GSR 751(E) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s “Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations” Rules of 2015.
The regulatory imperative is deeply rooted in aviation law, specifically designed to protect Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS)—invisible protective air corridors that are absolutely critical for the safe operation of aircraft during approach, departure, and while manoeuvring in proximity to the airport. Any structure, be it a towering high-rise, a telecommunication mast, an advertising billboard, a wind turbine, or even significantly tall trees, that intrudes into this safeguarded airspace without prior clearance, poses a severe risk. Such obstructions could lead to dangerous interference with navigation systems, communication signals, or radar-based air traffic management, jeopardising flight safety and potentially leading to emergency diversions or accidents.
The urgency for this directive is accentuated by the rapid surge in infrastructure and real estate development across the Yamuna Expressway and Jewar regions, areas that fall squarely within the airport’s newly defined safeguarded zone. While the promise of enhanced regional connectivity and burgeoning economic opportunities has drawn considerable investment, unregulated construction poses a direct and unmitigated threat to aviation safety. To counteract this, authorities have explicitly stated that any unauthorised development within the 20-kilometre perimeter will be treated as a serious violation, potentially incurring severe legal consequences, including demolition orders and substantial financial penalties.
To facilitate seamless compliance, the AAI has established a dedicated digital platform, the No Objection Certificate Application System (NOCAS), where stakeholders can apply for the mandatory NOC. The online process necessitates the submission of precise project coordinates, proposed building heights, structural plans, and other technical details. AAI experts meticulously evaluate each application to ensure the project falls within permissible elevation levels, based on its distance from the airport and its elevation above sea level. This policy reinforces a larger vision of integrated urban planning and aviation security, ensuring that rapid development around one of North India’s most vital transport hubs occurs in harmony with stringent safety norms, contributing to a truly sustainable and secure future for all citizens.
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