Gujarat High Court orders survey of high-rise buildings near Surat airport

Ahmedabad: Following the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad, a petition has been filed in the Gujarat High Court seeking the removal of high-rise buildings near Surat Airport. The petition raises concerns that similar accidents could occur in Surat due to tall structures close to the airport.

During a recent hearing of the PIL, the court stressed the need to prevent any recurrence of such incidents. It directed the Airport Authority to conduct a fresh survey of the buildings and strictly enforce regulations, stating that any violation of No Objection Certificate (NOC) norms should lead to the demolition of unauthorized constructions. The court also warned that builders who endanger lives must face both civil and criminal action.

The bench, led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D. N. Ray, noted that some residents had obtained stay orders from a single judge — these matters were also included in the PIL.

The court further questioned how builders obtained NOCs despite breaching height restrictions, finding that some had submitted false measurements to secure approvals. While the Airport Authority issues NOCs, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) grants development permissions based on them.

The court ordered a fresh survey in the presence of all stakeholders — the Airport Authority, SMC, and residents — and sought clarification on the appeal process for those opposing the survey or related notices, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) identified as the appellate authority. DeshGujarat