After Air India Crash, Centre Introduces Demolition Of Obstructions Draft Rule Near Air Port (Image for Representation @finowings
New Delhi: Days after a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat’s Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation introduced new draft rules, proposing limitations over structures within a specified area around an aerodrome zone.
Any buildings, whether permanent or temporary, erected in the area that pose a potential risk to the aircraft’s safety may be removed or shortened, as per the new draft rule, titled Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions) Rules, 2025, issued on June 18. The draft rules will come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, the ministry stated.
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The rules will allow authorities to take immediate actions against buildings and other obstacles, including trees, if they are exceeding the height limit in designated aerodrome zones. The rule is meant to prevent any potential accidents caused by obstructions in flight paths.
Building owners near the airport may have to submit detailed information, including structure dimensions and site plans, within sixty days, and any structure found violating the prescribed height limits may be served a notice by the officer-in-charge of an aerodrome, according to the draft rule. Failure to comply with the rule may result in actions including demolition height reduction.
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The ministry noted that the officer-in-charge of the aerodrome should satisfy himself with the correctness of the details before forwarding the details to the Director General. The officer will hence be empowered to enter the premises in question and carry out physical verification of the dimensions of the building or tree with reasonable prior notice to the owner.
If the owner is not cooperating, the officer will proceed based on available information and refer the matter to the aviation regulator. The officer should also report the matter to the District Collector, who is then responsible for ensuring that the demolition or trimming is carried out in accordance with the order.
However, owners will have the right to appeal orders to the First or Second Appellate Officer, and only those who comply with the orders may claim compensation under section 22 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024. Further, the ministry has also invited objections or suggestions from the public within twenty days of the notification’s publication.
Ministry of Civil Aviation issues Aircraft (Demolition of obstructions caused by Buildings and Trees etc.) Rules, 2025 and shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
‘”… Act’ means the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 (16 of 2024);… pic.twitter.com/8iBcDjBEWm
— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2025
The new draft rules have been released in the wake of the recent Air India crash soon after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Besides killing 241 out of 242 onboard, the crash, which pierced into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College, claimed several other lives on the ground, making the incident one of the most tragic air crash crashes in the country.
