FOCS urges DM to review NOC order
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 27 2025: Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) Manipur said that the recent order issued by the Imphal West district magistrate mandating high-rise buildings within 56km radius of the Aerodrome Reference Point (ARP) of the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal to obtain No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) requires rethink in view of the topography of Manipur.

According to a FOCS statement, there is huge difference between Manipur's landscape and other states and it would not be reasonable to prohibit construction of tall buildings within 56km radius of Imphal airport in the tiny state.

It was a good step taken by the AAI under the Ministry of Civil Aviation after a London-bound Air India plane crashed into building of a medical college in Ahmedabad few moments after take-off and two crew members of the state also lost their lives.

However, the step taken by AAI based on topography of other states is unrealistic in the context of Manipur.

While reminding that only 10 percent of Manipur's geographical area is valley surrounded by hills and the rest 90 percent is hills but 60 percent of the state's population are concentrated in the valley, FOCS said majority community (Meetei) cannot settle in the hills as per Manipur Land Revenue & Reforms Act.

Tall buildings (G+l, G+2, G+3) are being constructed in the valley to accommodate the increasing population in the limited space.

The step being taken up by AAI in such condition will cause a big problem to living space of the Meetei community, the FOCS said and urged the Imphal West DM to reconsider the order and frame a building bye-law commensurate with state's landscape.

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