Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding noise pollution from IGI Airport, Delhi, 18/09/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions and Promotion of National Awareness Vs Union of India & Others dated 18/09/2019. The Execution Application seeks enforcement of NGT order dated November 24, 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 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and had passed certain directions. Execution application has been filed with the grievance that directions of the Tribunal were not complied with.
Vide order dated May 21, 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 taken report dated August 30, 2019 has been filed by the AAI and affidavit has also filed on behalf of the 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 run way, wind, and other attendant circumstances to reduce the noise level particularly at the time of landing of aircrafts." According to the action taken report, NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was issued by AAI which has been incorporated in the Aeronautical Information Publication. Information regarding use of reverse thrust by pilots is applicable 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 July 6, 2018 laying down certain requirements which have to be complied by June 17, 2020. NGT recommends that "DIAL should not only measure and maintain the prescribed noise levels but also display the same in public domain."