Guwahati Air Funnel Zones
AAI
Overview
Guwahati airport funnel zone restrictions apply across a 56 km radius from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport's Aerodrome Reference Point, because LGBIA operates under Instrument Flight Rules. The governing instrument is the Colour Coded Zoning Map published by AAI under GSR 751(E), 2015. It assigns a Permissible Top Elevation in metres AMSL to every grid square in the zone. The airport sits at Borjhar at an elevation of approximately 49 m AMSL, with a single runway oriented 02/20 (north-south).
The AMSL Trap: Why Guwahati Airport Height Restrictions Catch Buyers Off Guard
Guwahati's terrain is not flat. Plots on slopes in Jalukbari, Azara, or areas toward the Kamakhya hillside sit at higher ground elevations than the airport itself, which means their AMSL building ceiling is consumed faster than buyers expect. The critical number is not floors: it is the Permissible Top Elevation from the CCZM grid minus your plot's own ground elevation in metres AMSL.
Overview
Inner Horizontal Surface
Distance from Runway
Within ~4 km of runway ends
Height Rule
Max ~45 m AGL
AAI NOC Required?
Yes, if PTE is exceeded
Approach / Funnel Surface
Distance from Runway
Along runway 02/20 axis, up to ~9 km
Height Rule
2% of distance from runway edge
AAI NOC Required?
Mandatory in all cases
Conical Surface
Distance from Runway
4-15 km from ARP
Height Rule
Gradient slopes upward at 5%
AAI NOC Required?
Depends on CCZM grid colour
Outer Horizontal Surface
Distance from Runway
15-56 km from ARP (IFR airport)
Height Rule
Generally permissive; local bylaws dominate
AAI NOC Required?
Required if proposed height exceeds PTE
Zone Type
Distance from Runway
Height Rule
AAI NOC Required?
Inner Horizontal Surface
Within ~4 km of runway ends
Max ~45 m AGL
Yes, if PTE is exceeded
Approach / Funnel Surface
Along runway 02/20 axis, up to ~9 km
2% of distance from runway edge
Mandatory in all cases
Conical Surface
4-15 km from ARP
Gradient slopes upward at 5%
Depends on CCZM grid colour
Outer Horizontal Surface
15-56 km from ARP (IFR airport)
Generally permissive; local bylaws dominate
Required if proposed height exceeds PTE
Guwahati's AAI NOC office is one of only nine designated regional offices in India, meaning all complex height clearance decisions for Northeast India pass through the Borjhar office. AAI takes a median of 25 days to approve NOC applications and approves only 58% of all processed applications nationwide. If your seller or developer has not obtained an AAI height NOC and your plot falls in a red-grid CCZM area, no municipal building permit from Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority overrides that gap. Confirm the CCZM grid classification before signing anything.
Borjhar, Azara, Jalukbari: Which Guwahati Corridors the Funnel Zone Affects Most
Borjhar / Azara
Airport Distance
0–3 km (immediate vicinity)
Constraint Level
Very High (approach funnel)
Growth Driver
Airport-linked demand; T2 terminal commissioned
Key Risk
Severe height caps; multi-storey development constrained
Jalukbari
Airport Distance
~18 km (east-northeast)
Constraint Level
Low-Moderate
Growth Driver
IIT Guwahati proximity; NH27 access
Key Risk
Elevated terrain may reduce AGL allowance; check individual CCZM grid
Beltola / Six Mile
Airport Distance
~20-22 km (east)
Constraint Level
Low
Growth Driver
GS Road commercial spine; Dispur proximity
Key Risk
Beyond critical funnel; local bylaws dominate
Lokhra / Dharapur
Airport Distance
~15-17 km (east)
Constraint Level
Low-Moderate
Growth Driver
Affordable residential; expanding urban fringe
Key Risk
Verify CCZM grid; spot variation possible
Narengi / Garchuk
Airport Distance
~12-14 km (northeast)
Constraint Level
Moderate
Growth Driver
NH17 / Ring Road alignment; industrial growth
Key Risk
Conical surface applies; height cap depends on site elevation
Corridor / Locality
Airport Distance
Constraint Level
Growth Driver
Key Risk
Borjhar / Azara
0–3 km (immediate vicinity)
Very High (approach funnel)
Airport-linked demand; T2 terminal commissioned
Severe height caps; multi-storey development constrained
Jalukbari
~18 km (east-northeast)
Low-Moderate
IIT Guwahati proximity; NH27 access
Elevated terrain may reduce AGL allowance; check individual CCZM grid
Beltola / Six Mile
~20-22 km (east)
Low
GS Road commercial spine; Dispur proximity
Beyond critical funnel; local bylaws dominate
Lokhra / Dharapur
~15-17 km (east)
Low-Moderate
Affordable residential; expanding urban fringe
Verify CCZM grid; spot variation possible
Narengi / Garchuk
~12-14 km (northeast)
Moderate
NH17 / Ring Road alignment; industrial growth
Conical surface applies; height cap depends on site elevation
Borjhar is the most misunderstood corridor. Brokers marketing plots in Azara and Garal within 2–3 km of the runway ends promote them as airport-facing growth plays without disclosing that the 2% funnel slope formula limits buildings within 1,000 m of the runway edge to just 20 m of height above ground, roughly five to six floors. At 2,000 m from the runway edge, the ceiling rises to 40 m. These are hard limits enforced by GSR 751(E), not municipal discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Guwahati airport funnel zone and does it affect my plot?
Yes, it can. The funnel zone runs along runway 02/20's north-south axis and caps height at 2% of distance from the runway edge. Every plot within 56 km of LGBIA's ARP falls under AAI's IFR airport jurisdiction and requires a CCZM height check via NOCAS.
Do I need an AAI NOC to build near Guwahati airport?
Yes, if your proposed building's top elevation in AMSL exceeds the CCZM grid's Permissible Top Elevation. Below that ceiling, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority can approve directly. Above it, apply through AAI's NOCAS portal before beginning any construction work.
How is AMSL height calculated for a plot near Guwahati airport?
Subtract your plot's ground elevation in metres AMSL from the CCZM Permitted Top Elevation for your grid square. Guwahati's hilly terrain means ground elevation varies sharply between plots. Get site elevation certified by a licensed surveyor before submitting any NOC application.
What is the maximum building height within 4 km of Guwahati airport?
Within the Inner Horizontal Surface, roughly 4 km from runway 02/20's ends, the cap is approximately 45 m AGL. In the approach funnel directly north or south of the runway, permitted height equals 2% of distance from the runway edge: 1,000 m away allows only 20 m of height.
What happens if a building near Guwahati airport violates height restrictions?
Courts can mandate demolition of non-compliant floors under the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions) Rules, 1994. A Karnataka High Court order required removal of 7 floors for an identical violation. No construction should begin near LGBIA before AAI issues a valid height NOC.
Can I buy land near Borjhar or Azara without facing construction restrictions?
No plot within 56 km of Guwahati airport's ARP escapes IFR airport AMSL height rules. Land near Borjhar and Azara faces the strictest funnel zone limits. Buying land is unrestricted; what you build on it is governed by the CCZM Permissible Top Elevation for your specific grid square.
Where can I view the official CCZM map for Guwahati airport?
The AAI CCZM grid for Guwahati is published on the NOCAS portal and was loaded on 20 March 2017. Heights shown are in AMSL. Deduct your certified site elevation from the permitted top elevation to find your actual permitted building height above ground.
Disclaimer
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Data Source & Verification
Source
Official Airports Authority of India (AAI) / Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) documents
Official Website
aai.aero
Coordinate Reference System
EPSG:4326 (WGS 84)
Geometry Type
Polygon / MultiPolygon
Data Format
Raster Tiles (from GeoTIFF)
Last Verified
2026
Status
Active