Begumpet Airport Zone Check
Check permissible building height near Begumpet Airport (HAL/IAF), Hyderabad · Defence airfield in Secunderabad · CCZM grid zones · RGIA Airport Zone →
CCZM Heights
Hyderabad CCZM Height Zones — Quick Reference
Permissible heights below are the actual zone values from the official AAI Hyderabad CCZM grid (shared with the RGIA tool). Heights are in meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL). The Secunderabad area ground elevation is approximately 540-560m MSL. Actual buildable height = Permissible Height - Ground Elevation at your site. The "Typical Areas" column is indicative only — use the map above to look up the exact permissible height for a specific location.
| Height Zone | Permissible Height (m MSL) | Approx. Buildable Height | Typical Areas Affected | NOC Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical | 565 m MSL | ~5-15 m (G+1 to G+4) | Near Begumpet runway | Mandatory |
| Severe | 580 m MSL | ~20-30 m (G+6 to G+9) | Rasoolpura, Begumpet | Mandatory |
| High | 600 m MSL | ~40-50 m (G+12 to G+15) | Bowenpally, Marredpally | Mandatory |
| Moderate-High | 620 m MSL | ~60-70 m (G+18 to G+22) | Trimulgherry, Karkhana | Required |
| Moderate | 640 m MSL | ~80-90 m (G+25 to G+28) | Tarnaka, Habsiguda | Required |
| Moderate-Low | 660 m MSL | ~100-110 m (G+32 to G+35) | Ameerpet, Somajiguda | Required |
| Low | 675 m MSL | ~115-125 m (G+37 to G+40) | Banjara Hills (north) | Recommended |
| Relaxed | 700 m MSL | ~140-150 m (G+45 to G+48) | Jubilee Hills (north) | Recommended |
| Permissive | 720 m MSL | ~160-170 m (G+52+) | Outer Secunderabad | Advisable |
| Open | 740 m MSL | ~180-190 m | Far outer zone | Advisable |
| Maximum | 760 m MSL | ~200-210 m | Outermost CCZM boundary | Advisable |
Understanding Begumpet Airport Height Restrictions
About Begumpet Airport
Begumpet Airport (ICAO: VOHY) is a defence airfield operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Located in the heart of Secunderabad, it has a single runway (09/27) of 1,737 meters. HAL uses the facility for aircraft manufacturing, testing, and maintenance — including fighter aircraft overhaul. The airport also handles VIP flights, state government flights, and occasional charter operations. It was Hyderabad's main airport until RGIA opened in 2008.
Why Begumpet Restrictions Matter More
Unlike RGIA which is on the city outskirts at Shamshabad, Begumpet Airport is surrounded by dense residential and commercial areas — Secunderabad, Begumpet, Paradise, Ameerpet, and Marredpally. This means height restrictions directly impact property development in prime city locations. High-rise residential and commercial projects in these areas must comply with the Begumpet CCZM in addition to the RGIA CCZM, often resulting in lower permissible heights than developers expect.
Defence Airfield NOC Process
Since Begumpet is a defence airfield, the NOC process involves both DGCA (through the NOCAS portal at nocas.dgca.gov.in) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Defence airfield height clearance may take longer than civilian airports — typically 6-12 weeks. The IAF Station Commander at Begumpet has authority over the immediate airfield zone. GHMC/HMDA requires this clearance before issuing building permission for properties within the funnel zone.
Dual Airport Zone Risk
Central Hyderabad properties can fall within the CCZM zones of BOTH Begumpet Airport (from the north) and RGIA Shamshabad (from the south). In overlapping zones, the more restrictive limit applies. Areas like Mehdipatnam, Nampally, Abids, Koti, and Charminar are in the overlap zone. Always check height restrictions from both airports before planning any construction. Use our RGIA Airport Zone tool to check the RGIA limit as well.
Begumpet Airport Zone & Building Height Restrictions in Hyderabad — Complete Guide
What is Begumpet Airport?
Begumpet Airport (ICAO code: VOHY) is a defence airfield located in the heart of Hyderabad, at the junction of Secunderabad and Hyderabad city. Operated jointly by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), this airport has been in operation since the 1930s. It served as Hyderabad's primary civilian airport until March 2008, when all commercial operations shifted to the newly built Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad. Today, Begumpet handles IAF military operations, HAL aircraft manufacturing and overhaul (including fighter jet servicing), VIP state government flights, and limited charter operations. The runway (09/27 orientation) is approximately 1,737 meters long.
Why Begumpet Airport Height Restrictions Are Critical
What makes Begumpet Airport unique in Hyderabad's urban landscape is its location — right in the middle of the city. Unlike RGIA at Shamshabad which is on the southern outskirts, Begumpet is surrounded by some of the most densely developed residential and commercial areas: Secunderabad, Begumpet, Paradise, Bowenpally, Marredpally, Trimulgherry, Rasoolpura, Tarnaka, Habsiguda, Karkhana, Ameerpet, Somajiguda, and the northern portions of Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills. This means the CCZM height restrictions directly impact property values, development potential, and building permissions in prime urban land. Many developers and property buyers are unaware that their high-rise plans in Secunderabad or Ameerpet may be constrained not just by the distant RGIA funnel zone, but also by the much closer Begumpet Airport zone.
How the CCZM Height Restriction Works
The Colour Coded Zoning Map (CCZM) for Begumpet Airport divides the surrounding area into grid zones, each with a specific permissible top elevation in meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL). The ground elevation in the Secunderabad area ranges from approximately 540m MSL to 560m MSL. To calculate the actual buildable height: Buildable Height = CCZM Permissible Height - Ground Elevation at your site. For example, if the CCZM allows 600m MSL at a site where the ground is at 550m MSL, you can build only 50 meters above ground level (approximately 16 floors). In the most restricted zones near the runway, the buildable height can be as low as 5-15 meters — barely G+4 floors — which is particularly restrictive in a dense urban area where developers want to build G+15 or higher.
Dual Airport Overlap — Begumpet + RGIA
Hyderabad has a unique situation where two airports — Begumpet in the north and RGIA at Shamshabad in the south — create overlapping CCZM zones across central Hyderabad. Properties in areas like Nampally, Abids, Koti, Charminar, Mehdipatnam, Masab Tank, Narayanguda, and Himayatnagar can fall within the funnel zones of both airports. In these overlap areas, the more restrictive height limit always applies. This dual restriction significantly impacts development potential in central Hyderabad. Developers and property buyers must check height restrictions from both airports before finalizing construction plans. Use this tool for Begumpet and our RGIA Airport Zone tool for RGIA to get the complete picture.
Legal Framework for Defence Airfield Restrictions
Building height restrictions near Begumpet Airport are enforced under the Aircraft Act, 1934, Aircraft Rules, 1937, and additionally under defence establishment regulations since it is an IAF airfield. The Ministry of Defence has additional authority over the airspace around military airfields. Violations near defence airfields can attract more serious consequences than civilian airports, including attention from military authorities. GHMC and HMDA building rules require airport height clearance for all properties within the funnel zone. The Supreme Court of India has consistently upheld airport height restrictions, ordering demolition of unauthorized construction that poses a risk to aircraft safety.
Tips for Property Buyers Near Begumpet Airport
Before purchasing property near Begumpet Airport: (1) Check the CCZM height for both airports — Begumpet and RGIA — using our tools; (2) Get a surveyor to measure ground elevation at your exact site, since even 5-10 meters of elevation difference significantly changes your buildable height; (3) Verify if the builder has Airport NOC for under-construction apartments — ask for the NOCAS approval letter AND the defence clearance letter; (4) Be skeptical of promised floor counts — some builders in the Secunderabad area promise 20+ floors in zones where only 12-15 floors are permissible; (5) Consider resale impact — properties in heavily restricted zones may have lower appreciation since development is capped; (6) Check Cantonment zone restrictions separately using our Cantonment Zone tool, as the Secunderabad Cantonment area has its own building rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Begumpet Airport (ICAO: VOHY) is a defence airfield operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in central Hyderabad. It handles military operations, HAL aircraft testing/overhaul, VIP flights, and charter services. Like all operational airports in India, it has an Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) and CCZM that restricts building heights in surrounding residential and commercial areas of Secunderabad and Hyderabad to ensure safe aircraft operations.
Since Begumpet Airport is located inside the city, its funnel zone directly affects densely populated areas including Secunderabad, Begumpet, Bowenpally, Marredpally, Trimulgherry, Rasoolpura, Tarnaka, Habsiguda, Vidyanagar, Karkhana, Paradise, Ameerpet, Somajiguda, northern portions of Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills, and parts of the Secunderabad Cantonment. This is a much more urbanized and high-value zone compared to the RGIA (Shamshabad) funnel zone.
Begumpet Airport is inside the city in north-central Hyderabad, while RGIA is at Shamshabad in the south. A property in central Hyderabad could fall within the funnel zones of BOTH airports — in such cases, the more restrictive limit applies. Begumpet has a shorter runway (1,737m vs 4,260m at RGIA) and handles military/HAL operations, but its height restrictions are equally enforceable under the Aircraft Act. Additionally, as a defence airfield, NOC involves the Ministry of Defence.
Yes. Any construction within the CCZM area whose proposed top elevation approaches or exceeds the permissible height requires Airport NOC. Apply through the NOCAS portal at nocas.dgca.gov.in. Since Begumpet is a defence airfield, the process may also involve the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and take 6-12 weeks. GHMC/HMDA requires this clearance as a mandatory pre-condition for building permission in the funnel zone.
Yes. Properties in central Hyderabad — between Begumpet in the north and Shamshabad in the south — can fall within the CCZM zones of both airports. Areas like Mehdipatnam, Nampally, Abids, Koti, Charminar, and Himayatnagar are in the potential overlap zone. In such cases, the more restrictive (lower) height limit applies. Always check both airports using our Begumpet tool and RGIA Airport Zone tool.
As of 2026, Begumpet Airport remains fully operational as an IAF and HAL facility. While there have been discussions about relocating HAL operations to other facilities, no official timeline or government order has been issued for closure. The Indian Air Force continues to use it as a base. Until the airport is officially decommissioned and the CCZM is formally withdrawn by AAI/DGCA, all height restrictions remain legally enforceable. Do not speculate on future closure when making property investment decisions.
Construction above the permissible height without Airport NOC violates the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Aircraft Rules, 1937. Since Begumpet is a defence airfield, violations may also attract attention from the Ministry of Defence and military authorities. Consequences include demolition orders, criminal prosecution, and financial penalties. GHMC/HMDA can declare the construction unauthorized. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld airport height restrictions as paramount for public safety and ordered demolition in multiple cases across India.
Yes. The CCZM heights are in meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL), which includes the ground elevation. To calculate buildable height: Buildable Height = Permissible Height (MSL) - Ground Elevation (MSL). For example, if the CCZM shows 620m MSL and your site in Secunderabad is at 550m MSL ground elevation, you can build up to 70 meters above ground level (approximately 23 floors at 3m per floor). A surveyor or GPS device can determine your site's exact ground elevation.
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