By IANS,
New Delhi : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Thursday said it will push for phase-out of old aircraft that create more noise, and assured the Delhi High Court of keeping noise levels around Delhi airport under check.
The regulator also made a presentation while making its submission before Justice S. Muralidhar during a hearing on a bunch of petitions concerning the increasing noise level in and around the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport.
“We are monitoring the noise levels near the airport round-the-clock and seeing as to which aircraft create more noise, so that we can initiate talks with the airlines for their phase-out,” a DGCA officer submitted before the court.
“We have already phased out some aircraft that were manufactured in the 1970s and are working for introduction of new generation aircraft,” the official added.
The DGCA also informed the court that it has installed five noise monitoring equipments at five different points at the airport.
“We have also made a noise complaint redressal for the public, wherein anyone can lodge his complaint and we will take action on it,” DGCA counsel informed the court.
The regulator also made a presentation to the court on its plan to curb the noise pollution level at the airport.
The court after hearing the submissions directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to fix a maximum noise level limit by July 22 for aircraft using the airport.
The court while appreciating the DGCA’s efforts to curb noise pollution said: “The momentum gained should not be lost by the delay in fixing the noise levels by the CPCB.”
The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre had filed a petition, alleging that the noise created by aircraft approaching airport for landing was disturbing patients.
“As a result of the thrust of the planes, patients constantly suffer from immense noise pollution…sleeplessness is (experienced by them) on a regular basis. Even the doctors performing surgery have complained,” said the hospital.
The hospital said the noise created by planes 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, the petition said.
The court is also hearing a similar plea from residents of Vasant Kunj neighbourhood close, who have also complained of noise pollution.