Bengaluru Infra Push: DCM DK Shivakumar Urges Rajnath Singh to Ease Airport Height Curbs, Release Defence Land - NEWSFLASH DAILY™

Breaking

Friday, April 24, 2026

Bengaluru Infra Push: DCM DK Shivakumar Urges Rajnath Singh to Ease Airport Height Curbs, Release Defence Land

NewsFlash Daily™
24 Aprilbengaluru-infra-dk-shivakumar-rajnath-singh-defence-land-height-restrictions

Karnataka Seeks Relaxation of 20 km Building Limits Around Defence Airports, Land Allocation for Twin Tunnels, Flyovers to Decongest City


New Delhi: In a major push for Bengaluru’s infrastructure expansion, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has urged Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to relax height restrictions on buildings near defence airports and allocate land for key urban projects aimed at easing the city’s growing traffic crisis.


During a meeting held in New Delhi, Shivakumar submitted a detailed request highlighting how stringent defence-related regulations are slowing down Bengaluru’s development, particularly in high-growth zones.


Height Restrictions Near Defence Airports Under Scrutiny
The Karnataka government has raised concerns over restrictions imposed beyond the prescribed norms under GSR 751(E). While rules limit building heights within a 15 km radius, authorities have reportedly extended these restrictions to 20 km around defence airports like HAL and Yelahanka, impacting urban planning.

“Bengaluru is one of the fastest-growing cities globally. Additional restrictions on construction are hindering its progress and limiting development potential,” Shivakumar stated.

The government has sought a review balancing flight safety with urban growth, noting that global cities such as Singapore, Amsterdam, Dallas, London, and Dubai integrate airports into broader development ecosystems.

Demand for Defence Land to Fast-Track Key Projects
Shivakumar also requested the release of defence land under the Equal Value Land (EVL) or Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) policy for several critical infrastructure projects:

  1. Twin Tunnel Project near Hebbal requiring 2.039 acres
  2. Rotary Flyover at Baiyyappanahalli Railway Junction needing 1.197 acres
  3. 60-ft Road from Airport Road (Bellary Road) to Sarovar Layout, passing near Defence Dairy Farm
  4. 24-metre Road from Lower Agaram Road to Ejipura via Sarjapur Road, requiring 13.709 acres

These projects are aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving connectivity across Bengaluru’s busiest corridors.


State Pushes for Balanced Policy Reform
The Deputy CM emphasised that land transfer would not disrupt defence operations, while significantly boosting urban mobility and economic growth.


Officials from Karnataka have already written to multiple central authorities, including the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Defence, seeking policy-level intervention to resolve long-pending issues.