RGIA Airport Funnel Zone Check
Check permissible building height near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad · 716 CCZM grid zones · 565m to 760m MSL · FSI Calculator →
CCZM Heights
RGIA CCZM Height Zones — Quick Reference
Heights are in meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL). Hyderabad's average ground elevation is ~540m MSL. Actual buildable height = Permissible Height - Ground Elevation at your site.
| Height Zone | Permissible Height (m MSL) | Approx. Buildable Height | Grid Zones | NOC Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical | 565 m MSL | ~15-25 m (G+4 to G+7) | Near runway approach | Mandatory |
| Severe | 580 m MSL | ~30-40 m (G+9 to G+12) | Inner approach cone | Mandatory |
| High | 600 m MSL | ~50-60 m (G+15 to G+18) | Extended approach zone | Mandatory |
| Moderate-High | 620 m MSL | ~70-80 m (G+22 to G+25) | Transition zone | Required |
| Moderate | 640 m MSL | ~90-100 m (G+28 to G+32) | Outer transition | Required |
| Moderate-Low | 660 m MSL | ~110-120 m (G+35 to G+38) | Horizontal surface | Required |
| Low | 675 m MSL | ~125-135 m (G+40 to G+43) | Conical surface | Recommended |
| Relaxed | 700 m MSL | ~150-160 m (G+48 to G+52) | Outer conical | Recommended |
| Permissive | 720 m MSL | ~170-180 m (G+55+) | Outer horizontal | Advisable |
| Open | 740 m MSL | ~190-200 m | Far outer zone | Advisable |
| Maximum | 760 m MSL | ~210-220 m | Outermost CCZM boundary | Advisable |
Understanding Airport Height Restrictions
What is CCZM?
The Colour Coded Zoning Map (CCZM) is issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for every airport. It divides the surrounding area into a grid of zones, each with a specific permissible top elevation in meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL). The CCZM for RGIA Hyderabad covers 716 grid squares, with heights ranging from 565m MSL (closest to runway) to 760m MSL (outermost boundary).
Why Height Restrictions?
Aircraft need an unobstructed approach and departure path near airports. The Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) defined by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) ensure tall buildings, towers, and cranes don't interfere with flight operations. These restrictions protect aircraft safety and are enforced under the Aircraft Act, 1934. Violations can endanger lives.
How to Get Airport NOC
Apply through the NOCAS (No Objection Certificate Application System) portal at nocas.dgca.gov.in. Provide your site coordinates (latitude/longitude), proposed building height, ground elevation, and site address. DGCA coordinates with AAI to verify the proposed height against the CCZM. Processing takes 4-8 weeks. The NOC is required before GHMC/HMDA grants building permission.
What If My Site is Restricted?
If your proposed building height exceeds the CCZM permissible elevation for your zone, you have two options: (1) Reduce the building height to comply with the CCZM limit, or (2) Apply for a special NOC through NOCAS, which AAI may grant after a detailed obstacle evaluation study. In most cases, construction must be limited to the CCZM height. Unauthorized construction can face demolition orders.
RGIA Airport Funnel Zone & Building Height Restrictions in Hyderabad — Complete Guide
What is the RGIA Airport Funnel Zone?
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad, Hyderabad has defined an airspace protection zone called the funnel zone (officially the Obstacle Limitation Surface area). This zone extends several kilometers from the airport runway in all directions, covering large parts of Rangareddy district and extending into Hyderabad city. Within this zone, all new construction must comply with height restrictions specified in the CCZM (Colour Coded Zoning Map) issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The RGIA CCZM contains 716 grid zones, with permissible top elevations ranging from 565 meters MSL near the runway to 760 meters MSL at the outer boundary.
How the Height Restriction Works
The CCZM heights are specified in meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL), not meters above ground level. Hyderabad's ground elevation varies from approximately 500m MSL (near Musi river basin) to 600m MSL (rocky hilltops in western Hyderabad). To calculate the actual buildable height at your site: Buildable Height = CCZM Permissible Height - Ground Elevation. For example, if the CCZM allows 640m MSL and your site is at 545m MSL ground elevation, you can build up to 95 meters above ground level (approximately 30 floors at 3m per floor). This tool shows the CCZM permissible height for any location within the airport funnel zone.
Which Areas Are Affected?
The RGIA funnel zone covers a vast area around Shamshabad. The most restricted zones (565m-600m MSL) are directly in the runway approach path — areas around Shamshabad, Keshavgiri, Rajendranagar, and parts of Balapur. The moderate zones (620m-660m MSL) cover areas like Bandlaguda, Attapur, Mehdipatnam, and parts of Tolichowki. The less restrictive outer zones (700m-760m MSL) extend to areas like Gachibowli, Madhapur, Kukatpally, and parts of Secunderabad. Even established areas of Hyderabad city fall within the CCZM, making airport NOC a critical requirement for all high-rise construction in the southern and central parts of the city.
Airport NOC Process Through NOCAS
The NOCAS (No Objection Certificate Application System) is an online portal managed by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) at nocas.dgca.gov.in. Builders, developers, and individuals must apply through this portal before obtaining building permission from GHMC, HMDA, or any other local authority. The application requires: (1) precise site coordinates (latitude and longitude), (2) proposed building height above ground level, (3) ground elevation at the site, (4) number of floors proposed, (5) site address with survey number, and (6) building plan layout. DGCA coordinates with AAI to evaluate the application against the CCZM and obstacle limitation surfaces. Processing time is typically 4-8 weeks.
Legal Framework
Building height restrictions near airports are enforced under the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Aircraft Rules, 1937 (as amended). Rule 9A prohibits any construction that may endanger the safety of aircraft operations without prior permission from the central government. The GHMC Building Rules and HMDA regulations also require airport height clearance for properties within the funnel zone as a mandatory pre-condition for building permission. Violations can result in: demolition orders, criminal prosecution, and heavy financial penalties. The Supreme Court of India has consistently upheld airport height restrictions as paramount for public safety.
Tips for Property Buyers
Before purchasing property near RGIA for construction: (1) Check the CCZM height using this tool to know the maximum buildable height at your location; (2) Verify the ground elevation using a surveyor or GPS device — this determines actual buildable height; (3) Check if the builder has Airport NOC for under-construction apartments — ask for the NOCAS approval letter; (4) Factor in height restrictions when assessing land value — highly restricted zones have lower development potential; (5) Cross-verify with GHMC/HMDA building permission to confirm airport height clearance was obtained. Properties in the outer CCZM zones (700m+ MSL) generally have fewer restrictions and are more favorable for high-rise development.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CCZM is a map issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) that divides the area around Rajiv Gandhi International Airport into 716 grid zones, each with a specific permissible top elevation in meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL). Heights range from 565m MSL (near the runway) to 760m MSL (outermost zones). Any building or structure within these zones cannot exceed the designated height without obtaining an Airport NOC from DGCA/AAI through the NOCAS portal.
The permissible top elevation varies from 565 meters MSL (closest to the runway approach path) to 760 meters MSL (outermost CCZM boundary). Since Hyderabad's average ground elevation is approximately 540m MSL, the actual buildable height above ground ranges from roughly 25 meters (about 8 floors) in the most restricted zones to over 200 meters in the outermost zones. The exact buildable height depends on your site's specific ground elevation.
Apply through the NOCAS (No Objection Certificate Application System) portal at nocas.dgca.gov.in. You need to provide site coordinates (latitude/longitude), proposed building height, ground elevation, and complete site address. DGCA processes applications in coordination with AAI. Processing time is typically 4-8 weeks. The Airport NOC is a mandatory pre-condition for obtaining building permission from GHMC/HMDA for properties within the funnel zone.
Construction above the permissible height without an Airport NOC is a violation of the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Aircraft Rules, 1937. Consequences include: demolition orders for the portion exceeding the limit, criminal prosecution, and heavy financial penalties. Building permissions from GHMC/HMDA also require airport height clearance — construction without it can be declared unauthorized. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld airport height restrictions as paramount for public safety.
Yes. The CCZM heights are in meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL), which includes the ground elevation. To calculate your buildable height: Buildable Height = Permissible Height (MSL) - Ground Elevation (MSL). For example, if the CCZM shows 620m MSL and your site's ground elevation is 550m MSL, you can build up to 70 meters above ground level (approximately 23 floors at 3 meters per floor). You need a surveyor or GPS device to determine your site's exact ground elevation.
Airport NOC is required for any construction within the CCZM area whose proposed top elevation (ground elevation + building height) may approach or exceed the permissible height for that grid zone. In practice, GHMC and HMDA require airport height clearance as part of the building permission process for all properties within the funnel zone, even for low-rise construction. It is advisable to obtain the clearance regardless of building height to avoid future legal complications during property sale or loan processing.
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