India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated measures to simplify, automate and decentralise the process for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs), with Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu directing officials to work out and implement the proposed reforms within 15 days.
Naidu held a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to review measures aimed at strengthening Ease of Doing Business in the civil aviation sector, with particular focus on the NOC process.
NOC process set for overhaul
The Minister called for a NOC framework that is hassle-free, transparent, automated and time-bound, with minimal manual intervention. The proposed changes are intended to benefit individuals, societies, builders and industry while ensuring that aviation safety requirements remain fully protected.
A key proposal involves providing applicants with information on permissible or identified building heights at the initial stage itself, particularly in major metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad.
Making such information available upfront would allow developers and other stakeholders to assess project feasibility and plan construction in accordance with applicable aviation height restrictions.
Aeronautical approvals in focus
The meeting also examined the process for conducting Aeronautical Studies, with the objective of simplifying and accelerating approvals.
Officials discussed the possibility of reducing the requirement for physical site verification during the initial stage and rationalising the submission of Building Development Plans and other supporting documents.
The move is expected to reduce procedural requirements and improve predictability for applicants seeking aviation-related clearances.
Push for decentralised NOCs
The government also reviewed the geographical coverage of the No Objection Certificate Application System (NOCAS).
At present, NOCAS covers areas within 20 km for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations and 56 km for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations.
The meeting considered the feasibility of issuing NOCs at the Urban Local Body (ULB) level, wherever possible. This could reduce the need for individuals and businesses to approach AAI directly for clearances.
The proposed decentralisation is aimed at bringing the approval process closer to applicants while reducing administrative delays.
15-day action plan
Naidu directed officials to examine the proposed measures and finalise modalities for simplifying, automating and decentralising the NOC process. The concerned authorities have been asked to take necessary action for implementation within 15 days.
The Minister stressed that relevant data and permissible building-height information should be made transparently available in the public domain, including through the official website.
The reforms are intended to create a simpler, predictable and transparent clearance framework without compromising aviation safety. Faster approvals could also support the timely execution of infrastructure and development projects, potentially boosting investment, economic activity and employment generation.