Karnataka seeks relaxation in building height norms around Bengaluru airports: D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has urged the Centre to review and relax building height restrictions around key aviation facilities in Bengaluru, citing their impact on urban development and real estate activity.

After meeting union civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Shivakumar said the state has sought parity with cities such as Hyderabad and Mumbai, where permissible building heights are higher, said a government release.

“We discussed increasing the building height limits in Bengaluru. Builders are hesitant to purchase premium Floor Area Ratio (FAR) due to these restrictions. The union minister has indicated he will take up the matter with the defence ministry,” the minister said in the statement.


The restrictions apply to areas around Kempegowda International Airport, Jakkur Aerodrome, Yelahanka air force station and HAL airport. Officials have held discussions with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Shivakumar said he would also meet the defence minister on the issue, the statement added.

The move comes as Karnataka pushes to ease congestion and enable vertical growth in Bengaluru, alongside large infrastructure projects such as the Bengaluru business corridor and global collaborations on urban solutions.

As reported earlier, the state is also exploring a partnership with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to implement smart city initiatives in Bengaluru, with a focus on energy, wastewater, mobility and disaster management.

Shivakumar said the government’s proposed skydeck project near NICE Road has faced resistance from Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises, which has not issued the required no-objection certificate. “We will respond appropriately,” he said.

On plans for a second airport, he said the Centre has asked the state to finalise a location.

“The Centre has shared its feedback on the second airport. It has asked us to finalize the location for the second airport. We have a few options for the location, and we will take a decision after weighing the pros and cons," said the minister.