Ahmedabad Air India crash: Centre drafts new rules to check high-rise buildings, trees near airports

The Union civil aviation ministry released a draft of Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions) Rules, 2025, on Wednesday, empowering authorities to take action against high-rise structures and tall trees posing threat to flight safety near airports. The development comes in the aftermath of the crash of Air India AI171 flight in Ahmedabad last week. 

 

The Union ministry issued the draft titled Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions) Rules, 2025 on Wednesday and will come into force once published in the official gazette. As per the new rules, authorities are given the power to take prompt action against buildings and trees that exceed height limits in designated aerodrome zones, ANI reported.

 

 "Where any notification has been issued by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 18 of the Act and the officer-in-charge of the concerned aerodrome has reason to believe that any building or tree exists in violation of the provisions of the aforesaid notification, he shall serve a copy of the notification on the owner of the building or tree, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedure laid down in sub-section (3) of said section," ANI reported quoting the new guidelines.

 

As per the new guidelines, the officer-in-charge may serve notice to owners of any structure found violating the prescribed height limits near an aerodrome. Once notice is served, the owners must submit detailed information, including details regarding the dimensions of the structure, within 60 days. Authorities are empowered to take prompt action, including height reduction of the building or trimming of trees if the owner fails to comply with the orders.

 

The Centre's move comes in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad Air India flight mishap which crashed on BJ Medical College's hostel near Ahmedabad Airport on June 12. As many as 241 persons onboard the aircraft died in the crash. Four MBBS students and spouse of one of the doctors died in the crash at the accommodation. The Centre has ordered a probe into the incident. 

 

India