The bench also asked aviation body to give the societies a hearing and take action in 3 months
The Bombay High Court on Thursday ordered the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to issue notices to 112 high-rises that fall in the air funnel zone on the either ends of the runway at the Mumbai International Airport. The court also asked BMC, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and DGCA to make sure no object is higher than 56 metres (roughly 13 floors) in a 4-km radius around the airport. If there is any antenna, pole or mobile tower, the court asked the authorities to immediately remove it.
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The court also asked authorities to make sure that no pole, antenna or mobile tower is present above 56 metres within a 4-kilometre radius around the airport. File pic for representation
Justices VM Kanade and Swapna Joshi were hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), filed by advocate Yeshwant Shenoy over violation of airspace norms near Mumbai Airport by several builders, who had constructed high-rises that can lead to aviation accidents.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) told the bench that several buildings were issued notices by them but none had voluntarily demolished illegal constructions.
‘AAI violated own norms’
Advocate Yeshwant Shenoy told the bench that the AAI had themselves given various societies permission to carry out construction, and violated their own norms for the safety of passengers and aircraft.
“They were playing dangerous games. In times of emergency or fog, if any pole that is violating the guidelines is not seen by the pilot, the aircraft is likely to crash in to it,” said Shenoy.
Justice Kanade then asked DGCA to issue show cause notices to 112 societies that fall in the air funnel zone of the runaway. These were to be acted on in three months time by the authorities.
“DGCA should give them a hearing and finalise them in next three months,” said Justice Kanade.
Shenoy had earlier pointed out that 200 skyscrapers had come up near the airport, violating all safety standards. The court also asked authorities to make sure that no pole, antenna or mobile tower is present higher than 56 metres in a 4-kilometre radius around the airport.
“I remember an accident that took place in a foreign country due to a pole, and the plane had to make an emergency landing due to it,” said Justice Kanade.
BMC must count height
The BMC, while giving clearances, should count the height from the sea level, and if there is no equipment available to do so, it should outsource this, said Justice Kanade. “The newly prepared development plan should have a clear map saying no construction near the airport above 56 metres,” said Justice Kanade.
The court also asked BMC and the builders of Sunita Co-Operative Housing society, at Santacruz, two floors of which it had ordered in the last hearing to be demolished, to file compliance reports immediately.
Builders on radar
DBS Realty (Kurla West), DBS Realty (Chandivli), Genesis Resorts Private Limited (Vile Parle), Kumar Housing Corporation (Ghatkopar), Starlite Hospitality Private Limited (Bandra West), Surti Developers (Vile Parle, West), Curio Finances and Investments Private Limited (Vile Parle) and Supreme Housing and Hospitality Private Limited (Powai)
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