Tripura, AAI Ink MoU to Digitize Building Clearance Process and Strengthen E-Governance

Tripura has made a significant advancement in improving its urban development framework by entering into a strategic collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to digitize and streamline the building clearance process. This initiative aims to expedite approvals, reduce bureaucratic overlap, and foster transparency in infrastructure-related procedures across the state. The core of this development lies in the digital integration of Tripura’s Single Window System for building approvals (SWS-OBPAS) with AAI’s No Objection Certificate Application System (NOCAS).

The Government of Tripura and AAI formalized their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Through this MoU, both parties have agreed to link their respective systems so that building clearance applications submitted under Tripura’s platform can automatically communicate with AAI’s database, allowing seamless processing of requests related to building heights. This integration makes it possible for approvals to be automatically granted for proposals that meet height restrictions laid out in Colour Coded Zoning Maps (CCZMs), which are used to define permissible construction limits near flight paths.

AAI, in a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), explained that with the new integration, builders and developers whose proposals fall within the permissible height grid of the CCZMs no longer need to submit a separate No Objection Certificate (NOC) to AAI. These applications will be automatically approved by the system, significantly reducing paperwork and time delays for stakeholders in the construction and real estate sectors.

However, the system retains necessary checks for sensitive zones. For construction projects located within “Red Zones”—areas deemed highly sensitive due to their proximity to flight paths or safety zones—manual clearance from AAI will still be compulsory. This ensures that the safety and operational efficiency of air traffic is not compromised.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by key officials from both sides. Representing AAI were Purbita Thakur Sinha, Executive Director (Air Traffic Management), and M. Zhimo, General Manager (ATM) for the North Eastern Region. From the Government of Tripura, Megha Jain, Director of the Urban Development Department, signed the document. M. Suresh, a Member of AAI’s Air Navigation Services division, was also present at the occasion, underlining the importance of the collaboration.

This initiative is expected to have a transformative effect on the state’s urban infrastructure landscape. By leveraging digital governance, the integration will not only speed up project approvals but also enhance ease of doing business. Developers and urban planners can now navigate the regulatory landscape with more predictability and less bureaucratic hassle.

In conclusion, the partnership between Tripura and AAI is a model of cooperative governance that leverages technology to resolve longstanding inefficiencies. It promises a more efficient, transparent, and accountable system for urban development approvals, while still maintaining critical safety standards in areas that intersect with aviation operations.