Aviation Ministry Pushes for Faster, Simpler NOC Approvals

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is looking at a major overhaul of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) process for construction and infrastructure projects near airports, with a focus on making approvals faster, more transparent and easier to access.

Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu recently reviewed the existing NOC framework with senior officials from the ministry and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The discussion centred on reducing manual intervention and moving towards an automated, time-bound approval system.

One of the key proposals is to make permissible building-height information available to applicants at the initial stage itself. This could be particularly useful in major metropolitan markets such as Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where aviation-related height restrictions can influence building design and project planning.

Providing this information upfront would allow builders, developers, societies and other applicants to understand the applicable restrictions before committing to detailed plans. It could also reduce delays caused by repeated submissions and regulatory consultations.

The ministry also examined the process for aeronautical studies, which are required for assessing potential aviation-related impacts of proposed developments. Officials discussed ways to simplify and speed up these approvals, including reducing the need for physical site verification during the initial stage wherever feasible.

Another area under review is the documentation required for building development plans and related submissions. The objective is to rationalise these requirements without weakening aviation safety standards.

The geographical coverage of the existing No Objection Certificate Application System (NOCAS) was also discussed. At present, NOCAS covers areas within 20 km for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations and 56 km for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations.

The ministry is also considering whether NOCs could be issued at the Urban Local Body (ULB) level wherever practical. Such decentralisation could reduce the need for individuals and businesses to approach AAI directly for every approval.

Naidu has directed officials to work out the modalities for simplifying, automating and decentralising the system and take necessary action within 15 days.

The broader aim is to create a predictable NOC framework while keeping aviation safety at the centre. Making relevant building-height data and regulatory information publicly accessible, including through official websites, could also help developers plan projects with greater clarity.

For the construction and infrastructure sector, a more streamlined approval process could mean fewer procedural delays and greater certainty during project planning.