June 20, 2025: The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay High Court that portions of seven residential buildings near Mumbai International Airport have been demolished after being found in violation of aviation height regulations. The demolition was carried out under the supervision of the Mumbai Suburban Collector, in compliance with earlier court orders aimed at addressing flight safety concerns.
The matter stems from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2019 by advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy, which raised alarm over structures near the airport potentially obstructing aircraft take-off and landing. The case, heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V. Marne, led to a significant directive in July 2022 requiring the Suburban Collector to take action against 48 structures that had breached permissible height limits.
On March 26 and May 6 this year, the court issued specific instructions for the removal of illegal extensions from seven buildings. These included Faiz CHSL, Allwin Apartments CHSL, Fazal House CHSL, and Farzaan Apartment CHS in Kurla, as well as Wings C and E of Rizvi Nagar Co-operative Housing Society and a section of the Dheeraj Heritage Premises in Santacruz (West). A compliance affidavit submitted by the Collector’s office confirmed that unauthorised structures such as water tanks, antennas, and iron pipes had been dismantled. The Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) later inspected the affected buildings and verified that the violations had been addressed.
The High Court also directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, acting as the city’s planning authority, to initiate further proceedings under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act to tackle any remaining infringements. With Justice Marne stepping down from the case, the matter is scheduled to be heard by a new bench in four weeks’ time.
Source: Mumbai Live
