Airport noise reduction: Govt told to act in time

“This court will like to impress upon the respondents the importance of setting definite time limits for the different tasks so that unnecessary delay is not caused in putting the noise mitigation measures in and around the airports in place,” the order read.

The court has also asked the authorities to place on record necessary documents detailing the discussion and decisions taken at the meetings convened by the Secretary,Ministry of Civil Aviation,in the wake of the court’s last order.

The government has also been asked to submit documents on the prevailing international standards on noise control measures and noise levels at other international airports for a comparative analysis with the noise level at IGIA.

The court was hearing a petition by the Vasant Kunj-based Indian Spinal Injuries Centre,alleging that the noise created by landing aircraft,which fly at a height of only 200-300 feet,was disturbing patients. “As a result of the thrust of the planes,patients constantly suffer from the immense noise pollution created by the planes… sleeplessness is (experienced by them) on a regular basis. Even the doctors performing surgery have complained,” the petition had claimed.

It further contended that the noise created by the aircraft was usually between the range of 75 decibel to 94 decibel and was “clearly beyond the stipulated standards laid down under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules,2000”.

The court is also hearing a similar plea from residents of nearby Vasant Kunj locality,who have complained of noise pollution.

The cases
* The court is hearing two PILs on the issues of noise pollution in areas surrounding the IGI airport.
* The petition by the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre claimed noise from landing aircraft disturbs its patients. Contending that the noise level was beyond the standards stipulated by the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules,2000,the hospital has said there was no public hearing before environment clearance was granted to the IGIA.
* The other petition,filed by the Bijwasan Gram Vikas Samiti,claimed that the stipulated conditions were not complied with when environment clearance was granted to DIAL.