No Permission Granted for Structure Near Mumbai Airport T2, MMRDA Directs MIAL to Take Action
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has reportedly confirmed that no permission was granted for a structure located near Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Following the reported confirmation, the authority has directed Mumbai International Airport Ltd to take appropriate action regarding the structure.
The issue has gained attention because of the location of the structure near one of Mumbai’s major airport terminals. The matter was earlier raised by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who alleged that the construction had taken place without the necessary approval.
According to the reported developments, MMRDA has examined the permission aspect and found that no approval had been granted for the structure in question. Based on this position, action has been sought from Mumbai International Airport Ltd, which is responsible for the operation, management and development of the airport.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has a specific planning role in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport notified area. MMRDA has been appointed as the Special Planning Authority for the notified area and is responsible for processing development approvals and granting permissions for certain constructions and other developments within the area.
The latest development follows concerns raised by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya regarding the structure. Somaiya had questioned how the construction was allowed to come up near the airport and had sought action against those allegedly responsible for carrying out the construction without approval.
He had also called for police cases to be registered against the persons involved, according to reports concerning the issue. The demand for criminal action is separate from the planning authority’s decision regarding whether the structure had received the required development permission.
The reported direction from MMRDA now places the next step with Mumbai International Airport Ltd. The airport operator is expected to examine the structure and take action in accordance with the direction and applicable regulations.
The issue is also significant from the perspective of airport planning and safety. Construction and development in the notified airport area are subject to specific planning requirements. MMRDA’s official information states that the airport notified area is governed by a sanctioned development framework and that MIAL develops airport infrastructure and facilities in accordance with the applicable plan.
The question of unauthorised construction around an airport can involve several regulatory considerations. Authorities have to examine whether a structure has the necessary planning approval, whether it complies with development regulations and whether its location creates any operational or security concerns.
The reported case has therefore brought renewed attention to the importance of regulatory compliance in areas surrounding major airports. Any construction undertaken without the required permission can become subject to action by the competent authority, depending on the applicable laws and regulations.
The matter also comes against the backdrop of earlier legal proceedings concerning structures and prayer facilities near Mumbai airport. In a March 2026 Bombay High Court order, the court recorded that a temporary shed near Terminal 1 had been demolished by MMRDA in April 2025 after a complaint that it was illegal and unauthorised. The court also noted that a survey of several possible sites found them unsuitable because of congestion, safety and airport development plan constraints.
However, the earlier Terminal 1 matter and the present reported issue near Terminal 2 are separate developments and should not be treated as the same case.
For the current matter, the key issue is whether the structure near Terminal 2 received the required permission from the competent authority. The reported confirmation from MMRDA indicates that no such permission was granted. The next stage will depend on the action taken by MIAL and any further decision by the relevant authorities.
The development is also likely to draw attention because of the political statements surrounding the issue. Kirit Somaiya’s allegations and demand for action have added a political dimension to the matter, while the regulatory question remains focused on the permission status of the structure.
Authorities are expected to follow the applicable legal and planning procedures while deciding the next course of action. Any further action, including removal or other enforcement measures, would depend on the official proceedings and the findings of the competent authorities.
The matter highlights the importance of obtaining necessary approvals before undertaking construction within the airport notified area. It also underlines the role of planning authorities such as MMRDA in regulating development in strategically important areas around Mumbai’s international airport.
Further developments are expected after Mumbai International Airport Ltd considers the direction issued by MMRDA and takes action in accordance with the applicable regulations.