Pune Construction Surge Brings Lohegaon Height Risks
Pune’s eastern growth corridor is facing a sharper planning challenge as construction activity around Lohegaon Air Force Station increases the number of projects requiring defence clearance. Applications for construction-related No Objection Certificates reportedly rose from 1,062 in 2020 to 1,401 in 2025. The increase reflects more than property demand: it shows how a rapidly expanding city must reconcile housing and commercial growth with aviation safety and the operational needs of a military airfield.
Lohegaon sits within a heavily urbanising part of Pune and shares aviation infrastructure with the city’s civilian airport operations. As residential towers, commercial buildings and redevelopment projects move closer to the airfield, proposed structures have to be assessed against applicable height and obstacle restrictions. The NoC process is designed to prevent buildings or other structures from becoming hazards to aircraft. Pune Municipal Corporation’s own documentation for Lohegaon construction applications requires applicants to provide location and building-height information to the Air Force’s air traffic control authorities. This makes aviation clearance an important consideration for developers and property owners operating within regulated areas. The rise in applications is closely linked to Pune’s changing urban form. Lohegaon, Viman Nagar, Dhanori and surrounding areas have shifted from relatively low-density settlements towards dense residential and commercial districts. Rising land values encourage redevelopment, while demand from professionals and businesses continues to support construction.
For the property market, the implications are practical. A project requiring defence clearance cannot be treated as an ordinary building approval. Developers must establish whether a proposed structure falls within the relevant regulated zone and whether its height and location comply with aviation requirements. Buyers also have an interest in ensuring that projects have secured all necessary approvals before construction progresses. The challenge extends beyond individual buildings. Dense development around an operational airfield can create pressure on roads, parking, emergency access, utilities and public services. It can also increase the number of people living and working in areas where aviation-related restrictions are permanent features of the urban environment. Pune’s planning agencies therefore face a coordination problem. Housing demand cannot simply be pushed away from established urban areas, but development near strategic infrastructure must follow predictable rules. Clear digital maps, faster inter-agency approvals and publicly accessible development restrictions could reduce uncertainty for both residents and the real estate industry.
There is also a longer-term sustainability question. Higher-density development can reduce outward land consumption when it is supported by public transport and adequate infrastructure. But density without coordinated mobility, drainage, open space and safety planning can create new urban vulnerabilities. The Pune construction boom around Lohegaon is unlikely to disappear as the eastern suburbs continue to urbanise. The Pune construction boom will instead require tighter integration between municipal planning, aviation safety and infrastructure investment. For Pune, the objective should not be to stop growth, but to make sure growth occurs within clearly understood limits. As more projects approach the airbase, transparent approvals and stronger coordination will determine whether the city can add homes and jobs without compromising aviation safety or long-term urban liveability.
