NGT asks for night flying restrictions in airports to reduce noise pollution

“Statement be filed in relation to the extent of domestic and international flights with the details of departure and arrivals…

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“Statement shall also consist of measurement of noise level at the recipient end. In other areas, the decibel level be shown at the time of taking off and landing of aircraft, for both, day and night. What is their noise level in the residential area during the day and night times? It must state as to what are the contributing factors of noise in the surrounding area of the airport,” the bench said.

The matter is now listed for hearing on August 22.

During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the Ministry informed the bench that it was taking requisite steps to reduce noise level in the residential areas near the airport.

Taking the government to task over lack of norms on noise pollution in residential areas near airports across the country, the NGT had earlier asked “Why should there not be night flying restrictions at airports?”

It had also directed the government to file a short note on the steps taken by it to notify noise-level standards for airport noise zones and asked Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to give a break-up of flights landing between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM at the IGI airport.

The green panel was hearing a bunch of pleas filed by the residents of South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, Bijwasan and Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), a super-specialty hospital located near the airport.

NGT had earlier expressed displeasure over government’s failure to fix environmental norms on noise pollution and directed Environment Ministry, DGCA and Central Pollution Control Board to convene a meeting and take a clear decision on the issue.

The pleas alleged that the noise created by aircraft at the IGI airport was affecting the health of the residents of nearby areas.

The hospital claimed that the noise created by planes were usually between the range of 75 and 94 decibels, which was “clearly beyond the stipulated standards laid down under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000”.

The Supreme Court had last November referred the matter to NGT, saying the parties would not claim any interim order before the tribunal.