In the wake of the catastrophic Air India crash that killed 241 people, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has released a draft of the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions) Rules, 2025 to tighten controls on structures that pose a threat to aircraft safety near airports.

The rules aim to give authorities the power to take prompt action against buildings and trees that exceed height limits in designated aerodrome zones.

This is seen as a proactive step to prevent potential accidents caused by obstructions in flight paths.

The move is seen as a preventive step following the June 12 tragedy, in which a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the hostel complex of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad's Meghani Nagar area shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The Ministry has invited objections or suggestions from the public within twenty days of the draft’s notification. Responses are to be submitted to the Director General of Civil Aviation for review.

The draft rules, will take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette, aim to empower authorities to take immediate action against buildings, trees or other objects that violate prescribed height limits in designated aerodrome zones.

Under the new regulations, if the officer-in-charge of an aerodrome has reason to believe that a building or tree exceeds allowed height limits, they are authorised to issue a formal notice to the owner, citing the relevant Government notification under Section 18(1) of the Act.

Owners must respond within 60 days with detailed information including structure dimensions and site plans.

Failure to comply may lead to enforcement measures such as height reduction or demolition.

The rules also have an appeal mechanism. Affected individuals may appeal to the First or Second Appellate Officer, submitting the prescribed form, supporting documents and a Rs 1,000 fee.

However, only those who comply with orders will be eligible to claim compensation under Section 22 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhini-yam, 2024.

Structures erected in violation after the issuance of the notification will not qualify for any compensation.

"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," the draft reads.

Under the draft, any structure found violating the prescribed height limits may be served a notice by the officer-in-charge of an aerodrome. Owners must submit detailed information — including structure dimensions and site plans — within sixty days.

Failure to comply could result in enforcement action, including demolition or height reduction.

"The officer-in-charge of the concerned aerodrome shall forthwith send a report of such violation to the Director General, or any officer authorised by him in this behalf," it added.

For physical verification, officers are empowered to enter the premises during daylight hours after informing the owner.

In cases of non-cooperation, officers may proceed based on available information and refer the matter to the DGCA.

"Before forwarding the details to the Director General, the officer-in-charge of the aerodrome shall satisfy himself about the correctness of the details and for that purpose, he shall be empowered to enter the premises in question and carry out physical verification of the dimensions of the building or tree, as the case may be, during daylight hours and with reasonable prior notice to the owner, who shall be duty bound to extend full cooperation during such physical verification," it further added.