Delhi Airport Now Shares Noise Levels Online After NGT Review
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has closed a complaint regarding aircraft noise at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, stating that the airport is now complying with directives to publish real-time noise data online. The move follows public concerns from residents near Vasant Kunj about sleep disruption due to excessive noise, particularly from flights using runway 29/11 near residential neighbourhoods.
A resident had filed the plea citing frequent disturbances from airport noise, especially during nighttime operations. The complaint pointed out the lack of publicly available data and raised concerns over the heavy usage of runway 29/11 near Vasant Kunj. The tribunal acknowledged these concerns but noted that earlier rulings had already resulted in sound barriers and restrictions on the use of reverse thrust to control landing noise levels.
According to the tribunal’s order dated June 28, the airport operator is now compliant with previous directions. The uploaded data, sourced from noise monitoring terminals near runway approach and departure zones, provides noise level readings on the airport’s official website. This step marks an effort toward transparency and allows nearby residents to access real-time information about aircraft noise in their local environment.
Permissible aircraft noise limits have been defined as 105 dB(A) during the day and 95 dB(A) at night. The noise monitoring setup ensures these thresholds are not breached regularly. Experts overseeing the tribunal proceedings noted that the data publication helps validate whether operational noise is within acceptable standards and supports ongoing regulatory oversight without requiring further judicial intervention at this stage.
While acknowledging disproportionate use of runway 29/11, the tribunal did not impose further restrictions on flight paths. Authorities clarified that there were no specific previous directives about altering runway usage patterns. With existing noise control measures in place and real-time data now accessible to the public, the tribunal considered the matter resolved and formally disposed of the case.
The closure of the noise pollution plea marks a significant shift in transparency at Delhi Airport, as residents now have access to aircraft noise levels in real time. Although concerns remain about runway usage, the National Green Tribunal has accepted current compliance. The move is seen as a proactive step towards addressing urban noise pollution through data-driven monitoring and public accountability.
