• Source:JND
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Noida International Airport: With the commissioning of Noida International Airport drawing near, strict height restrictions have been imposed on construction and tree planting within a 20-kilometre radius of the airport. No activity involving vertical development will be permitted without prior clearance from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), according to airport officials. The airport authority has issued a clear advisory to builders, local governing bodies, and the general public, emphasizing the need for a mandatory ‘Height Clearance’ or No Objection Certificate (NOC) before undertaking any such development.

"Getting a clearance for any such activity with the area is not merely a regulatory formality but a vital requirement to safeguard flight operations and navigation infrastructure from potential obstructions," said Noida Airport’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Kiren Jain.

"As Noida International Airport nears commissioning, it is imperative for the public, real estate developers, and local authorities to strictly adhere to the height restriction regulations laid down by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to ensure the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations," Jain added in an official press release as quoted by News Agency PTI.

The advisory stresses that all proposals for vertical structures must first be routed through local bodies, who will refer to the Colour-Coded Zoning Map (CCZM) prepared by AAI. This map helps determine the permissible height for any structure in proximity to the airport. If the proposed development exceeds allowable limits, applicants are required to obtain a Height NOC through the AAI’s NOCAS portal.

This regulation is in line with the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s GSR 751(E) rules under the 2015 "Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations." These guidelines prohibit unapproved constructions within protected airspace, as any breach could endanger Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) and compromise vital navigation systems.

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To ensure these rules are upheld, enforcement measures outlined under the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions caused by Buildings and Trees) Rules, 2023, have been activated. These provisions empower authorities to carry out demolitions of unauthorised structures or tree plantations and penalise violations under the broader Aircraft Rules framework.

The advisory urges all stakeholders including builders, landowners, and residents to cease any development activities that lack approval. “All stakeholders, especially builders, landowners, and residents, are strongly advised to halt any unapproved development activities within the safeguarded zone and obtain the necessary NOC from AAI at the earliest,” the official release stated.

The airport authority underlined that timely adherence to these rules is crucial to maintaining safe and uninterrupted aircraft operations once the airport becomes operational.

District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma, head of the Environment Management Committee, has stressed the need to curtail unauthorised laser emissions and drone activity in the vicinity of the airport. He called for awareness drives, particularly in rural zones, to educate residents on the new restrictions.

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On July 9, 2025, Noida International Airport Ltd. (NIAL) CEO Rakesh Kumar Singh conducted an inspection of ongoing construction work. Singh reviewed the progress of major components, including the terminal building, runway, ATC tower, sewage treatment plant (STP), and water treatment facilities. He stated that all work is on track to be completed by September.

“The STP and water treatment plant work is nearly finished, with machinery expected to arrive by July,” Singh noted during the inspection, which was also attended by nodal officer Shailendra Bhatia.