The Centre on Wednesday notified rules to remove obstructions such as buildings and trees within a 20km radius of an aerodrome that pose risks to aircraft
operations.
Introducing stricter norms to identify and remove any structure, whether permanent or temporary, near an aerodrome, the government notified the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions Caused by Buildings and Trees etc.) Rules, 2026.
The rules empower the airport authority to initiate the process to remove obstacles near the airport if it finds that erected structures are disrupting aircraft movement. The structures should be within 20km of the aerodrome.
“If the Director General of Civil Aviation, on examination of the details forwarded to him by the officer-in-charge, is satisfied that the building does not comply with the provisions of notification issued by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 18 of the Adhiniyam, he may pass an order directing the owner to demolish or reduce the height of the building to such height, as it may be required for compliance with that notification,” the notification says.
The rules clarified that no order shall be passed unless the building owner has been given a reasonable opportunity to be heard. It also gives power to the owner to claim compensation as per the law. The aggrieved person can also appeal to the appellate authority within 30 days from the date of receiving a copy of the demolition order.
If the owner fails to comply with the order, the officer-in-charge shall report the matter, with all details, to the district collector.
The district collector will then carry out the demolition or reduction in height of the building in the same manner as followed in the case of demolition of any unauthorised construction.
The move was proposed in a draft rule on June 18, 2025, six days after an Ahmedabad-London Air India plane crashed soon after takeoff in a residential area. At that time, objections and suggestions were sought from people likely to be affected.
The rules have now come into force after publication in the official gazette on March 31.