Despite the directive from National Green Tribunal (NGT)to initiate steps to curb noise pollution in residential areas near airports so that people are not disturbed, Delhi International Airport ltd (DIAl) has not done anything to that effect even almost a decade after taking over the operations of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj residents and Indian Spinal Injuries Hospital, located very close to the IGIA, had even moved Delhi High court against the noise created by aircraft while landing, especially at runway no 29/11. Spinal Injuries Hospital, in its petition, claimed the noise created by the landing aircraft which fly at a low height of 200ft to 300ft is disturbing its patients. According to a report prepared by Smalka Residents Welfare Association, around 3,28,200 people were affected due to flight operations on 29/11 runway.
Following the petitions, the Centre had informed the High Court that the IIT-Delhi and experts were asked to evolve a mechanism to curtail noise pollution near the airport. It was way back in 2010, DIAl had roped in IIT-Delhi to suggest sound barrier designs. later, petitions were transferred to the NGT.
A South Delhi resident had again submitted a petition to Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) on January 25, 2016 saying DIAl has failed to install any noise barrier on the south side of runway 29/11.
IIT-Delhi and experts were supposed to complete the project in three months. However, even after six years, IIT report has not been made public or submitted to the court.
As per the source, IIT Mechanical Engineering Department that had conducted the study, had informed the DIAl that a continuous sound barrier could be built on the south side of the runway as done in many airports across the world. According to the report, the navigation aids could easily be raised or moved to the north side of the runway.
The Pioneer met Dr Ashish Darpe, Professor of Mechanical Engineering Department of IIT-Delhi who had supervised project to design noise barrier for runways in 2010. Darpe told The Pioneer that precautionary steps can be taken with the installation of sound barricades. “larger is the height, lesser will be sound on the other side of barrier, this is the basic fundamental,” he added.
When asked height of noise barriers can create obstruction in navigation, he clarified that height of navigation instruments /devices can also be raised. “Height of navigation devices can be raised with respect to the height of noise barrier to synchronise the signals,” said Professor Darpe. To overcome the problem of noise barrier, there is need to upgrade aircraft too, he added.
DIAl officials refused to comment on the matter related to noise barrier saying that the matter was sub-judice. “The matter is under judicial consideration,” said DIAl official spokesperson.