Ahmedabad Air Funnel Zones
AAI
Overview
Buying land or a flat near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad means your plot falls inside a legally regulated airspace layer governed by AAI's Color Coded Zoning Map (CCZM). This is the Ahmedabad airport height restriction zone land-buying check that most buyers skip, and it costs them later. Every structure within 20 km of the airport's aerodrome reference point requires a No Objection Certificate from AAI under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Rules, 2015. SVPIA's single runway 05/23 runs northeast to southwest, which means the funnel zone extends directly over densely built corridors north and south of the airport. This page explains exactly what the CCZM zones mean, where the demolition risk is real, and how to check your plot before any money changes hands.
Ahmedabad Airport OLS Violations: Why 46 Demolition Orders Were Issued Near SVPIA
Red
Max Permissible Height (AMSL)
Highly restricted (immediate vicinity)
NOC Requirement
Mandatory AAI clearance
Grey
Max Permissible Height (AMSL)
Up to 77 m
NOC Requirement
AAI NOC
Yellow
Max Permissible Height (AMSL)
Up to 95 m
NOC Requirement
AAI NOC
Pink
Max Permissible Height (AMSL)
Up to 115 m
NOC Requirement
AAI NOC
Green
Max Permissible Height (AMSL)
Up to 135 m
NOC Requirement
AAI NOC
Blue
Max Permissible Height (AMSL)
Up to 155 m
NOC Requirement
AAI NOC
Zone
Max Permissible Height (AMSL)
NOC Requirement
Red
Highly restricted (immediate vicinity)
Mandatory AAI clearance
Grey
Up to 77 m
AAI NOC
Yellow
Up to 95 m
AAI NOC
Pink
Up to 115 m
AAI NOC
Green
Up to 135 m
AAI NOC
Blue
Up to 155 m
AAI NOC
The trap most buyers fall into: the permissible height shown in the CCZM is measured in meters above mean sea level (AMSL), not above ground level. A plot on raised ground near the runway approach path may appear in a green or blue zone yet carry only a few meters of usable building height once site elevation is subtracted. Any developer who cannot give you a signed site elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor with WGS84 coordinates is not in compliance with current AUDA requirements, and that project cannot legally receive BU permission.
Hansol, Chandkheda and the SVPIA Funnel: Where the Ahmedabad Airport Zone Tightest Affects Buyers
Hansol
Zone Position
Immediately adjacent to airport
Growth Driver
Metro Phase II extension (Koteshwar–Airport)
Key Risk
Red/Grey zone; most buildings require AAI clearance regardless of height
Chandkheda
Zone Position
North of airport, outside primary funnel
Growth Driver
Metro connectivity, GIFT City proximity
Key Risk
Yellow–Pink zone: height gains allowed but AMSL calculation still critical
Sabarmati / Motera
Zone Position
South of airport, near runway 23's end
Growth Driver
Motera Stadium, metro Phase I
Key Risk
Verify funnel alignment before purchase; approach path extends this direction
Gota / Jagatpur
Zone Position
Outer belt, east of airport
Growth Driver
Affordable housing demand
Key Risk
Green–Blue zone: higher permissible heights, standard NOCAS check sufficient
Corridor / Locality
Zone Position
Growth Driver
Key Risk
Hansol
Immediately adjacent to airport
Metro Phase II extension (Koteshwar–Airport)
Red/Grey zone; most buildings require AAI clearance regardless of height
Chandkheda
North of airport, outside primary funnel
Metro connectivity, GIFT City proximity
Yellow–Pink zone: height gains allowed but AMSL calculation still critical
Sabarmati / Motera
South of airport, near runway 23's end
Motera Stadium, metro Phase I
Verify funnel alignment before purchase; approach path extends this direction
Gota / Jagatpur
Outer belt, east of airport
Affordable housing demand
Green–Blue zone: higher permissible heights, standard NOCAS check sufficient
The most misread corridor is Chandkheda. Brokers routinely market it as fully outside the airport zone. It is not; it sits in a transition between yellow and pink zones, meaning mid-rise projects above 95 meters AMSL still require a separate AAI NOC. For reference, Ahmedabad's ground elevation is roughly 53 metres AMSL, which means a Yellow-zone plot in Chandkheda yields about 42 meters of buildable height before an NOC is required, fewer floors than many projects in that market currently advertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the height limit for buildings near Ahmedabad airport?
No single cap exists. Height is in meters AMSL and varies by zone. The inner horizontal surface (~4 km) allows ~45 m above ground. Check NOCAS for your exact coordinates.
Do I need an AAI NOC to build near the Ahmedabad airport?
Yes. Any structure within 20 km of SVPIA's ARP requires an AAI NOC. Post-2025, AMC won't issue Building use permission without validated NOCAS elevation clearance.
What is the air funnel zone around the Ahmedabad airport?
Aligned with runway 05/23, it ends at a 2% gradient every 20 m from the runway, allowing only 1 m of extra height. Localities north and south sit inside this funnel.
What happens if a building violates the OLS near Ahmedabad airport?
DGCA can issue demolition orders under the 1994 Rules. In Jan 2024, 46 orders were issued near SVPIA. Buyers inherit liability, including loss of occupancy certificate and forced vacation.
How do I check if my Ahmedabad plot falls under the AAI height restriction zone?
Enter your plot's WGS84 coordinates on NOCAS and cross-reference with the Ahmedabad CCZM. Plots above 300 sq m need all four corner coordinates plus a licensed surveyor's elevation.
What is the color-coded zoning map (CCZM) for the Ahmedabad airport?
AAI's CCZM divides the area into 6 color-coded grids (red, grey, yellow, pink, green, and blue), each showing permissible top elevation in AMSL. AMC and AUDA must certify compliance before any approval.
Can buildings near Ahmedabad airport be demolished for height violations?
Yes. As of Nov 2025, AMC is demolishing 13 buildings near SVPIA. Partial-floor demolition is also possible, leaving buyers with a legally unoccupiable unit while the structure remains standing.
What is NOCAS, and how do I apply for airport height clearance in Ahmedabad?
NOCAS is AAI's online NOC portal at nocas2.aai.aero. Submit coordinates, surveyor-certified elevation, and building plans. Ahmedabad NOC station processes within 15 working days. Build nothing before clearance is in hand.
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