Karnataka's Vertical Growth Hindered by Airport Restrictions, Advocates Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday to discuss height restrictions imposed near Bengaluru's defence airports. Shivakumar argued these limitations are stifling the city's vertical growth.

Bengaluru hosts four operational airports, including the HAL Airport and Yelahanka Airbase, which are defence-related. Currently, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from these airport authorities is required for construction within their area.

Shivakumar highlighted that while GSR 751 (E) restricts building heights up to 150 metres within 15 km of defence airports, authorities are enforcing this up to 20 km, expanding restricted areas by 78 per cent. He warned that limiting vertical development would result in unplanned city expansion, affecting systematic urban growth. He requested a review of these restrictions while balancing flight safety and development needs.