Bombay HC was Amazed at How Builders Initiated the Construction of Residential Projects Around the Proposed Airport in Navi Mumbai

Bench: Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice MS Karnik 

The Bombay High Court was amazed and expressed concern at how builders initiated the construction of residential projects around the proposed airport in Navi Mumbai even as the airport is yet to be built. According to the bench, such a trend would result in aviation safety issues for aircraft landing and taking off from the airport due to the high rises surrounding the airport.

The bench was hearing public interest litigation (PIL) alleging violations on the part of developers. During the hearing, Bench members were informed that 104 of 123 applications sought by developers were approved by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).

The Bench had earlier asked the AAI to provide an affidavit on the number of permissions granted by authorities to construct buildings above permissible height limits. The Bench was informed today that permissions had been granted in accordance with 2015 rules issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding height restrictions for aircraft safety.

In reviewing the affidavit, the Court asked petitioner Yashwant Shenoy to explain how the relaxation of height restrictions violates any law.

It then directed Shenoy to file an affidavit explaining the violation of statutory provisions.