BENGALURU, April 24: Is Bengaluru’s rapid urban growth being choked by defence regulations Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Friday flagged the issue at the highest level, seeking urgent intervention from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over stringent height restrictions around key airbases in the city.
Raising the matter during a meeting in New Delhi, Shivakumar said the existing norms governing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for construction near defence airports- particularly HAL and Yelahanka-are placing large swathes of Bengaluru under severe height limitations, impacting both real estate development and long-term urban planning.
He noted that the current interpretation of rules is constraining growth in core parts of the city, at a time when Bengaluru continues to expand as a global technology hub. The restrictions, he said, are also affecting mobility planning and infrastructure projects critical to the city’s future.
Framing the issue as a balance between national security and economic growth, Shivakumar urged the Centre to revisit the norms and adopt a more calibrated approach that safeguards aviation safety without stalling development.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that Bengaluru’s growth trajectory requires flexible and forward-looking policy support, warning that prolonged constraints could have broader implications for investment and urban expansion.
The meeting assumes significance amid increasing concerns from developers and planners over regulatory bottlenecks, with the state government now pushing for a solution that aligns defence priorities with the city’s evolving needs.
(UNI)
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