New rules on noise levels at airports

Amid complaints from people residing near airports, the government is now planning to bring down the permissible noise levels by five decibels to 70 decibels at busy airports and 65 decibels at other facilities during the daytime.

A draft notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change last week seeking suggestions from stakeholders and the public on reducing the noise limit.

In July, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had asked major airports to provide details of noise pollution due to flight movement after the National Green Tribunal asked the Centre to specify noise levels at the Delhi airport between 10pm and 7am. As per the draft notification, the noise level has been brought down from 75 decibels to 70 decibels in major airports like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru during the daytime.