In a significant move to enhance aviation safety, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday released a draft of the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions) Rules, 2025, empowering aerodrome authorities to act swiftly against buildings and trees that exceed permitted heights in designated zones around airports.
The draft notification, dated 18 June, comes days after a tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives. The new rules will come into force upon their publication in the Official Gazette and are aimed at eliminating potential hazards to aircraft during take-off and landing.
The proposed framework grants the officer-in-charge of an aerodrome the authority to serve notices to owners of structures violating prescribed height norms, as per notifications under Section 18 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
“Where any notification has been issued by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 18 of the Act and the officer-in-charge of the concerned aerodrome has reason to believe that any building or tree exists in violation of the provisions of the aforesaid notification, he shall serve a copy of the notification on the owner of the building or tree, as the case may be,” the draft states.
Structure owners must furnish detailed information—including site plans and dimensions—within sixty days of notice. If they fail to comply, authorities are empowered to initiate enforcement actions including demolition or height reduction.
According to the draft, “The officer-in-charge of the concerned aerodrome shall forthwith send a report of such violation to the Director General, or any officer authorised by him in this behalf.”
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Further, the officer may enter the premises for physical verification “during daylight hours and with reasonable prior notice to the owner, who shall be duty bound to extend full cooperation.”
If the owner refuses to comply, the matter must be reported to the District Collector, who is then tasked with carrying out the demolition or trimming. The procedure will follow the same protocol used in the removal of unauthorised constructions.
The rules also provide for an appellate mechanism. Aggrieved parties may approach either the First or Second Appellate Officer with prescribed documentation and a fee of ₹1,000. However, the right to compensation under Section 22 of the Act is limited to those who comply with the orders. Non-compliant structures erected after the notification date will be ineligible for any such claims.
The ministry has opened the draft for public comments and suggestions, which must be submitted to the Director-General of Civil Aviation within twenty days from publication.
The move follows the 12 June crash of Air India’s London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which struck a hostel block of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off, killing all but one person onboard and causing multiple casualties on the ground. Among those killed was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
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