Bengaluru high-rise projects hit by airport, defence height curbs: DK Shivakumar

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, right, meets Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar

• Bengaluru high-rise construction limited by aviation, defense rules
• Building height limits impact major projects and urban planning
• Centre assures review of restrictions after Karnataka's request

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D K Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, on Wednesday said high-rise development in Bengaluru is being severely restricted due to norms imposed by civil aviation authorities and defence establishments, affecting the city’s growth and urban planning.

He said several zones around key aviation and defence facilities have strict limits on building heights, making it difficult to meet the demands of the city’s growing population and infrastructure needs, news agency PTI reported.

“High-rise development in Bengaluru city is becoming increasingly restricted. We are unable to widen roads much either. On one side, there is HAL Airport, on another Kempegowda Airport, then Jakkur Airfield, and the Air Force base at Yelahanka. Because of this, high-rise construction is not permitted for several kilometres around these areas,” Shivakumar told reporters in Delhi.

Restrictions hit projects, planning

Shivakumar said the issue was raised in a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, seeking relaxation of norms to bring Bengaluru on par with other metro cities.

Highlighting the impact, he said even major projects have been affected.

“I had proposed a Skydeck project and worked on it for nearly two-and-a-half years, but eventually we had to shift it… HAL imposed restrictions, saying nothing can be done within a 20-kilometre radius,” he said.

Developers unable to utilise FAR

He said that despite the introduction of premium Floor Area Ratio (FAR), developers are unable to use it due to these curbs.

“We have introduced premium FAR, and developers are willing to pay, but they are unable to utilise it due to these restrictions. This is affecting both development and government revenue,” he said.

Pointing to other cities, he added, “In cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai, such restrictions are comparatively less. We have requested that Karnataka be given similar norms as other states, allowing greater building heights.”

Shivakumar said the Centre has assured a review of the issue in coordination with defence authorities.

“They are addressing it step by step… They said this problem exists in many other states as well and assured a comprehensive approach. We are continuing to exert pressure,” he said.

He added that large parts of Bengaluru, especially areas around HAL and Yelahanka, remain under strict controls.

“HAL and Yelahanka also fall under such restrictions,” he said.