Friday, March 18, 2016

Hyderabad: Status quo on building curbs

Restrictions on the height of buildings coming up near the Begumpet airport’s runway will continue. The Union civil aviation ministry is in no mood to withdraw the height restrictions even though commercial flight operations have been moved to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad eight years ago. Begumpet airport is operational and the ministry has no plans to withdraw the height restrictions in its funnel zone, R.N. Choubey, secretary, civil aviation ministry told this newspaper.

Though many buildings have been constructed in violation of height restrictions near the airport, those planning to construct legally have to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Airports Authority of India.

The ministry of civil aviation will use the Begumpet airport for movement of VIP aircrafts helicopter sorties and defence aircraft and, therefore, the sanctity of the funnel zone will be maintained. As of now, both GHMC and Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) can give permissions to build up to (G+2) buildings in the funnel areas. Though there is a proposal that the ministry would amend the existing constructions norms near the Begumpet airport, it has not happened so far.

The worst hit are residents of colonies located at a higher altitude in Mahendra Hills where a builder has to obtain NOC from AAI to construct even a single floor house.
18/03/16 M Roushan Ali/Deccan Chronicle
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