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NGT: Noise Pollution Cause by Aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), Delhi.
National Green Tribunal (NGT) in its Order dated 18/09/2019 in the matter of Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions, and Promotion of National Awareness V. Union of India & Others by Hon’ble Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Hon’ble Justice S.P Wangdi, Hon’ble Justice K. Rama Krishnan and Hon’ble Dr. Nagin Nanda. The Execution Application seeks enforcement of Tribunal order dated 24/11/2017. According to the applicants who were residents of Vasant Kunj, New Delhi in absence of adequate mitigation measures, there was unchecked noise pollution on the runway at Indira Gandhi International Airport affecting the inhabitants.
The Tribunal had sought a report from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and had passed certain directions. These directions include:-
- All the measures will be following the report submitted by the Ministry of Environment And Forest (MoEF).
- Construction of Sound Barrier following the report submitted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
- Green Belt around the boundary of the Airport Walls.
- Ensure ‘Judgement based’ use of reverse thrust keeping in view weather, length of the runway, wind and other attendant circumstances to reduce noise pollution particularly at the time of landing of aircraft.
- All the coaches/buses and other vehicles plying at the airport should be CNG and must comply with the prescribed emission standard.
Application has been filed with the grievance that directions of the Tribunal were not complied with. Vide order dated 21/05/2019, the Tribunal sought a factual and action taken report from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). Accordingly, factual and action is taken report dated 30/08/2019 has been filed by the AAI and affidavit has also filed on behalf of the Delhi International Airport Authority (DIAL) indicating the steps taken.
One of the directions involved issuing of an advisory by AAI “to all the airlines whose aircrafts land at the runway of the IGI and Domestic Airport, New Delhi to ensure ‘judgment based’ use of reverse thrust keeping in view weather, length of runway, wind, and other attendant circumstances to reduce the noise level particularly at the time of landing of aircrafts.” According to the action taken the report, NOTAM (Notice to Air Men) was issued by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) which has been incorporated in the Aeronautical Information Publication. Information regarding the use of reverse thrust by pilots applies to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
As regards noise pollution, steps have been taken in terms of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Notification dated 06/07/2018 laying down certain requirements which have to be complied by 17/06/2020.
As regards to the conversion of the vehicle in CNG, Delhi International Airport Authority, they pointed out that the order of the Tribunal is modified by the Supreme Court by order dated 06/08/2019.
Tribunal recommends that “Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) should not only measure and maintain the prescribed noise levels but also display the same in the public domain.”
The application is disposed of.
