Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has submitted a memorandum to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, requesting a reduction in the height restriction radius around defence airports in Bengaluru from 20 kilometres to 15 kilometres. The state has also written to the Defence Secretary and the Ministry of Civil Aviation on this matter.
Deputy Chief Minister Meets Defence Minister
On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met Rajnath Singh in New Delhi to outline the state's rationale for seeking this relaxation. The proposed change is expected to free up nearly 78 per cent of land within the restricted zones surrounding Yelahanka and HAL airports, enabling the development of high-rise buildings and commercial office spaces.
Current Restrictions Called 'Excessive'
In the memorandum, Shivakumar described the current restrictions as 'excessive'. The document states: 'Bengaluru is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and HAL airport is in the core area of Bengaluru where there is huge demand for development. The additional restrictions are hampering development in areas around the airport.'
Discrepancy in Civil Aviation Rules
In separate communications to the Defence and Civil Aviation Secretaries, the state government noted that existing civil aviation rules typically prescribe a restriction radius of around 15 kilometres. However, the state's representation said 'authorities representing defence airports informed us that under rule 5(2) of GSR 751 (E), authorised officers of defence airports are allowed to impose additional restrictions, hence they are restricting the height based on their calculations'.
Helicopter Testing Cited as Factor
The government also informed the Centre that HAL authorities indicated the extended restriction zone was partly due to helicopter testing at the airport. '...in that case, it is requested that testing of such helicopters be shifted to HAL-II Tumakuru, which is assembling various helicopters,' the state said in its request to the Department of Defence Production under the Ministry of Defence.
Arguments for Relaxation
The state has urged the Centre to consider the proposed relaxation, citing advancements in communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) technologies, rising land demand in metropolitan areas like Bengaluru, and the need to promote vertical urban growth over urban sprawl.
