AAI, NMIAL & CIDCO to reconsider height restriction for realty projects around NM Airport

Mumbai, July 07 The Maharashtra Government's town planning and infrastructure development department and Airports Authority of India (AAI) will reconsider the current height restriction of 55.1 metre above sea level with the development of a new Navi Mumbai airport in its next monthly meeting.

CREDAI-MCHI had raised concerns with all regulatory stakeholders in this regards given the impact of this height restriction on hundreds of Navi Mumbai realty projects. Some of the other demands were to discuss revalidation of NOCs issued to realty projects. Furthermore, CREDAI-MCHI is seeking allowance of conducting an aeronautical study through the appealing process for projects that are seeking higher heights beyond the authorizations and even conduct a shielding study for projects in the vicinity of Parsik Hill.

Sanjay Mukherjee, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Cidco said, "We have suggested alternatives jointly along with Navi Mumbai International Airport and shall be taking up this issue again in the monthly meeting that is normally held under the chairmanship of the secretary, the ministry of civil aviation. Now that the work of redefining CCZM and the obstacle study is nearly complete, we are hopeful that a solution shall emerge soon."

Rajesh Prajapati, founder and president of CREDAI-MCHI (Raigad), which represents developers from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), said,

"The restriction of building height to 55.1 metre and offering no solution for more than two years is unrealistic, which makes projects unviable for developers. We are seeking support from the authorities to increase the height of buildings so that all the stuck projects including redevelopment schemes can be delivered on time."

Already developed projects in key localities ranging from Airoli to Panvel in Navi Mumbai have been widely affected owing to the ambiguous scenario, despite the grant of a higher FSI (Floor Space Index). While the currently proposed height restrictions do not allow projects over 12-13 floors (55.1 metre) in accordance with Colour-Coding Zoning Map (CCZM) around upcoming airports to facilitate smooth movement of aircrafts, the developers with existing projects in the area which had been constructed basis the previous clearances are currently in murky waters as the upper floors exceeding the margin will be termed as unauthorised. Current regulations and the lack of clarity on the way forward would deem it impossible for Cidco and AAI, authorized for OCs and height clearances certifications respectively, to issue their approval.

A joint meeting scheduled in the next few weeks between the Cidco, Navi Mumbai International Airport authorities and the Ministry of Civil Aviation may help in charting the way-forward for resolution of this impasse & help developers and prospective homebuyers as well.