A recent circular issued by the Airports Authority of India is expected to bring relief to stalled redevelopment projects in Juhu by introducing a more flexible approach to building height restrictions near high-frequency (HF) transmitters.
Dated March 18, 2026, the circular proposes the formation of a regional committee that will assess specific zones, evaluate their impact on aviation safety, and determine permissible building heights on a case-by-case basis. “There is a demand for reviewing the regulations for the safeguarding of high-frequency transmitters. There are no clear standards or guidelines from ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), and these restrictions are affecting the vertical growth of metropolitan cities,” it said.
Residents point out that nearly 50–60 redevelopment projects, many involving buildings over 35–40 years old, have been delayed due to strict height caps. Within a 1 km radius of the HF transmitter in Juhu, permissible building heights were significantly reduced, making several projects financially unviable.
Architect Manoj Daisaria explained, “The committee will adopt a more nuanced, plot-specific approach now rather than applying blanket restrictions. It is expected that there may be scope for height relaxations in the eastern parts of Juhu where HF transmitters are located, while stricter controls may continue on the ocean-facing side, which lies within the landing approach zone. Overall, the committee will study each plot individually and recommend permissible heights accordingly, aiming to balance aviation safety requirements with urban development potential.”
Most of the affected developments involve the redevelopment of MHADA colonies and slum rehabilitation projects, which depend on a higher floor space index (FSI) to remain viable. Earlier, a uniform height limit of 57 metres above mean sea level (AMSL) was permitted, but this was later reduced to 43 metres and even 34 metres in critical zones, significantly impacting project feasibility.
Under the new framework, no construction will be allowed within 100 metres of the transmitter, while areas between 100 and 2,000 metres will be subject to conditional approvals. Experts will conduct detailed operational impact assessments to ensure that buildings do not interfere with aviation communication systems.
A property market source noted, “Instead of blanket restriction, the new circular has allowed controlled development by clearly defining restricted zones and permitting conduct of an operational impact analysis study by a highly technical team of communication and navigation experts, airport officials, and high frequency communication equipment system engineers. They will determine whether the proposed building would actually affect signals required for long-distance aircraft communication and suggest any further measures required to be adopted for mitigation.”
The circular also outlines a structured approval process and hierarchy for granting additional height permissions. “Methodical and timely adoption of the circular will allow controlled urban development without compromising aviation safety, which is especially challenging in Mumbai with fully functional airports at Santacruz and Juhu, both within proximity and within city limits,” the source added.
Source: ET Realty
