Union Minister of Civil Aviation Reviews Measures to Simplify and Automate NOC Process; Directs Time-Bound Action Within 15 Days
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu reviewed measures to simplify and automate the No Objection Certificate (NOC) process in civil aviation. The Minister directed officers to implement reforms within 15 days, including automation, decentralization to Urban Local Bodies, and early provision of permissible building heights to applicants.
Why It Matters
Relevant for UPSC and state-PSC candidates studying government administration, civil aviation policy, ease of doing business reforms, and infrastructure development initiatives.
In Simple Words
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu met AAI and ministry officials to simplify the No Objection Certificate (NOC) process needed for construction near airports, aiming to make it faster, automated and more transparent. Ideas discussed include telling applicants their permissible building height upfront in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, and letting local bodies issue NOCs instead of routing everything through AAI.
Officials were given 15 days to work out how to implement these changes, which cover a wide area — NOCAS currently applies within 20 km for VFR flights and 56 km for IFR flights around airports.
Key Points
- Union Minister of Civil Aviation held meeting with Ministry officers and Airports Authority of India (AAI)
- Focus on simplifying NOC process with emphasis on automation, transparency, and minimal manual intervention
- Proposed provision of permissible building heights at initial stage in major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad
- NOCAS currently covers 20 kms for VFR operations and 56 kms for IFR operations
- Feasibility of issuing NOCs at Urban Local Body (ULB) level being considered
- 15-day timeline directed for implementation of reforms
- Reforms aim to support infrastructure projects, investment, employment generation and GDP growth
Exam Angle
A. 20 km for VFR (Visual Flight Rules) operations and 56 km for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations.
Source: Press Information Bureau