NAREDCO has proposed key regulatory changes to address height restrictions imposed by aviation rules in major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. In a recent meeting, NAREDCO advocated for relocating aviation facilities away from central urban areas, extending shielding benefits to include buildings, and using more accurate contour data for height regulation. They also suggested conducting aeronautical studies as an alternative to demolishing buildings that breach height limits and called for flexibility in approach surface regulations. Additionally, NAREDCO reminded the government of two previously unimplemented recommendations and stressed the necessity of these reforms to effectively balance real estate growth with aviation safety.
The National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), a self-regulatory body established in 1998 under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, has submitted crucial recommendations to the government. These recommendations aim to address regulatory challenges that hinder real estate development in major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. The proposals were discussed during a recent meeting with a Joint Working Group, which included an Expert Committee led by Fali Major.
G Hari Babu, the National President of NAREDCO, emphasised the need to address these issues urgently. He pointed out that the height restrictions imposed by aviation regulations have significantly constrained real estate development in urban areas and added that the recommendations are intended to unlock the potential of these cities while maintaining safety standards.
One of the main proposals is to relocate aviation facilities like HF Transmitter (Tx) and Receiver (Rx) stations from central urban areas to locations outside city limits. This change would enable the construction of taller buildings in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata without compromising aviation safety or signal quality.
NAREDCO recommends extending shielding benefits, currently applied only to natural terrains, to include buildings and other man-made structures. This change would allow for taller buildings in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata without compromising aviation safety, by applying the same allowances that currently apply to natural obstacles.
The council also emphasises the importance of using more accurate contour data by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) when determining areas eligible for shielding benefits. Currently, the data used has a high margin of error, leading to overly restrictive height regulations that do not accurately reflect the actual terrain or urban landscape. By employing more precise data, the government could make better-informed decisions that support safe aviation operations while allowing for taller buildings where it is safe to do so.
Instead of the immediate demolition of buildings that violate height restrictions, NAREDCO suggests conducting comprehensive aeronautical studies to explore alternative solutions. These studies would assess the real impact of existing buildings on flight safety, potentially allowing them to remain if they do not pose significant risks. This approach would be less disruptive to residents and businesses and could prevent unnecessary demolitions, offering a more practical way to resolve conflicts between real estate development and aviation regulations.
NAREDCO also advocates for more flexible regulations regarding the placement of approach surfaces, particularly when runway thresholds are displaced due to obstacles.
NAREDCO also reminded the government of two previously accepted recommendations that have not yet been implemented: a 0.5-metre vertical height tolerance during construction and redesigned approach and landing procedures to accommodate this change. Additionally, other important issues were discussed, such as revising height restriction calculations near airports, extending the validity of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) affected by the pandemic, and clarifying new rules on aerodrome obstacle surfaces.
G Hari Babu concluded by stressing the importance of these changes for the real estate sector, noting that addressing these regulatory challenges is essential for real estate to thrive in urban areas. He expressed optimism about working closely with the government to implement these changes, which would enable safe and sustainable urban development.
NAREDCO believes that these regulatory changes are crucial for the growth of the real estate sector in India's cities. By addressing these aviation-related challenges, the organisation hopes to achieve a balance that allows urban development to continue in a safe and sustainable manner, ultimately supporting both real estate growth and aviation safety.
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