Aircraft ops: Govt mulling steps to check noise pollution

The government is planning to come up with standards to check noise pollution generated due to aircraft operations and ensure that noise levels are maintained within the permissible levels. 

The proposal, which has been in the works for some time, comes against the backdrop of concerns expressed in some quarters, including by resident welfare associations, about noise pollution being created by aircraft operations. 

To assess the situation at airports, various studies have been carried out by agencies and discussions have been going on between different government departments over the last few years.

The Environment Ministry is working on a proposal for bringing in standards on noise levels pertaining to aircraft operations and measures for maintaining noise within the permissible limits, a senior official said.

Multiple rounds of discussions have already taken place among various agencies, including Environment Ministry, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the official said.

In September 2013, a study on noise levels from aircraft operations at the Delhi international airport was conducted by the Directorate General of CIvil Aviation (DGCA) through a foreign entity. 

In December 2014, the regulator had issued a CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement) on ‘noise management of aircraft operations at airports’. 

The issue of noise pollution from aircraft operations has been simmering for sometime and some entities had also moved court and tribunals in this regard.