State wants height restrictions around HAL, Yelahanka airports relaxed

Bengaluru: The govt submitted a memorandum to defence minister Rajnath Singh seeking a reduction in the height restriction radius around defence airports in Bengaluru from 20km to 15km. It has also written to the defence secretary and civil aviation ministry on the issue. On Friday, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar met Singh in Delhi to outline the state's rationale for seeking the relaxation. The proposed change is expected to "free up" nearly 78% land within the restricted zones surrounding Yelahanka and HAL airports, enabling the development of hig-hrise buildings and commercial office spaces. In the memorandum, Shivakumar described the current restrictions as "excessive". It states: "Bengaluru is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and HAL airport is in the core area of Bengaluru where there is huge demand for development. The additional restrictions are hampering development in areas around the airport." In separate communications to the defence and civil aviation secretaries, the state govt noted that existing civil aviation rules typically prescribe a restriction radius of around 15km. However, the state's representation said "authorities representing defence airports informed us that under rule 5(2) of GSR 751 (E), authorised officers of defence airports are allowed to impose additional restrictions, hence they are restricting the height based on their calculations". The govt also informed the Centre that HAL authorities indicated the extended restriction zone was partly due to helicopter testing at the airport. "...in that case, it is requested that testing of such helicopters be shifted to HAL-II Tumakuru, which is assembling various helicopters," the state said in its request to the department of defence production under the ministry of defence. The state has urged the Centre to consider the proposed relaxation, citing advancements in communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) technologies, rising land demand in metropolitan areas like Bengaluru, and the need to promote vertical urban growth over urban sprawl.
Get real-time updates and result insights on the UBSE UK Board Results 2026 and CBSE 12th Result 2026