January 15, 2026: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has approved the relocation of Mumbai airport’s high-frequency radar from Dahisar to Gorai, a move expected to remove long-standing restrictions on development in north Mumbai. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision on Wednesday, describing it as a key step towards unlocking stalled redevelopment projects in the area.
In a post on X, Fadnavis shared a copy of a letter sent by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to the Maharashtra Urban Development Department, confirming the approval. He said the decision had received the Union Civil Aviation Minister’s clearance and would help resolve issues linked to aviation safety norms that had limited construction activity in Dahisar for several years.
According to the Chief Minister, the state government has already allocated land in Gorai for the new radar installation. He also acknowledged the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in facilitating the decision, which is expected to have a significant impact on urban development in the region.
The radar relocation is likely to boost affordable housing initiatives. Last month, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu stated that shifting the AAI radar would unlock hundreds of acres of land in Dahisar, making it available for residential development. The land is expected to be used primarily for affordable housing projects, offering relief to both residents and developers affected by prolonged construction curbs.
As per official communication from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Maharashtra government will bear the full cost of relocating the radar system. The Dahisar-based radar has been a critical component of Mumbai airport’s air traffic monitoring infrastructure, but it also enforced strict height and construction limitations on surrounding areas, delaying residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
With the radar set to move to Gorai, these restrictions are expected to ease substantially. Urban planners believe the decision will accelerate redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings, improve civic infrastructure, and support more planned growth across north Mumbai, while continuing to meet aviation safety requirements.
