Air Funnel Zone: Creating TDR out of Thin Air

Is creating TDR for restricted areas really resolving Mumbai’s housing crisis?

In July 2024, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister announced that buildings affected by the air funnel zone around airports in suburban Mumbai face redevelopment challenges due to height restrictions. The air funnel zone, designed for aviation safety, covers nearly 50% of suburban Mumbai and 65% of Navi Mumbai. To address this, the state is allowing the transfer of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), which compensates developers by granting additional building floors in exchange for land affected by height restrictions.

The air funnel zone’s restrictions date back to the 1930s, and now, areas once deemed unsuitable for development due to these limits will gain additional development potential through TDR. This move raises several concerns, including the fairness and practicality of such compensation, as well as its long-term implications for urban planning. The transfer of TDR from areas with height restrictions might lead to development in areas already facing congestion, such as Vile Parle, Andheri, and Kurla, worsening traffic and straining existing infrastructure.

​At UCM, we advocate for a balanced approach to Air Funnel Zones (AFZ) and Transfer of Development Rights (TDR). We are concerned about granting TDR for areas that were never intended for development, particularly in suburban Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. We believe TDR should be used more strategically to promote genuine growth in areas that require it most. Our goal is to ensure that development policies align with long-term sustainability and equitable urban planning.