Violation of noise safety norms has resulted in increased number of patients suffering from hearing problems near Delhi airport
Violation of noise safety norms has resulted in increased number of patients suffering from hearing problems near Delhi airportThe lurking danger at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is not restricted to the runways; it has spread to the neighbourhood. And the issue this time is the wanton disregard for noise safety parameters. Not only is it resulting in hearing impairment among locals, it's also giving them sleepless nights.
Silence please! The runway 29/11 (map above) of Delhi airport, which
was commissioned one and half years ago, is affecting the lives of at
least two lakh people living near the airportAs per international regulations, the Noise Safety Zone spans to at least 6,000 feet from the runway and just like Airport Safety Zone, it debars any human habitation in the region. But runway 29/11, which was commissioned one and half years ago, is affecting the lives of at least two lakh people living in Vasant Kunj, Bijwasan, Bamnauli, Samalkha and Pushpanjali Enclave. However, as per information provided by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), no such Noise Safety Zone has been defined for the IGI Airport.
The zone, besides covering residential localities, also includes several hospitals and schools, making it inconvenient for patients as well as students. And authorities seem to have turned a blind eye towards the problem.
"There is a sharp increase in the number of people complaining of hearing problems. For the last 15 days even I have been suffering from some problems in my left ear," said Major HPS Ahluwalia, Chairman, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, located near the airport.
Ahluwalia added that besides hearing impairment, people are suffering from restlessness and anxiety too.
u00a0"Several people are complaining of sleep disorder. Though adults manage to cope, it's the children who are suffering the most. Neither can they sleep properly nor can they study at school due to the deafening noise at the airport. Also, it's observed that the people suffering from asthma are complaining of more uneasiness," he said.
The problems aggravate when a big-bodied aircraft is taking off or landing.
"No study has been commissioned regarding how noise produced at the airport is making an impact on our houses. When a big aircraft is landing, the top floor of our house shakes violently. It appears as if there's an earthquake," said Anil Sood, Social Activist and President of NGO Chetan.
Meanwhile, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has refused to comment on the questions raised by MiD DAY and shared the information that the airport has been properly audited by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which certifies the runways before these are commissioned.
MiD DAY did a story (dated June 8, 2010) raising issues about the safety at IGIA and how it probably is India's most dangerous airport due to it being located near densely populated areas, an oil depot and a railway line.u00a0
"No airport and runway can operate without getting the mandatory checks done by the ICAO. Though the concerns raised by MiD DAY are concrete enough to create doubts, we have followed all parameters set by ICAO, otherwise we would not have got the necessary licenses," said the official on condition of anonymity.u00a0u00a0
He also said: "But the close proximity to an oil depot, railway line and populous colonies does raise a question over the process followed by ICAO."
An ICAO spokesperson while replying to MiD DAY's query said that only an aviation expert would be qualified to comment on the matter as it is related to safety and security. The noise levels created by aircraft landing and taking off after every three minutes in the peak hours has crossed all international standards.
"The permissible noise level in the residential areas is 55 decibels in the morning and 45 decibels at night but because of this runway being so close to our locality, the noise level reaches up to 98 decibels," said Rajeev Ghai, Honorary Secretary, Pushpanjali Farm Owners & Residents Association.
While the possibility of a Mangalore-like situation is, thankfully, quite remote, the deafening noise has left the locals groping for the mute button.
98 dB Noise levels in colonies near IGIA
45-55 dB Permissible noise levels
2 lakh Approximate no. of people affected by the noise pollution
| Terminal velocity |
| The spanking newu00a0 T3 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport will be formally inaugurated on July 3 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The new terminal is part of the project for the modernisation and upgradation of the Delhi airport awarded to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a joint venture company formed by the Bangalore-based GMR Group, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Fraport and Malaysian Airport Holdings. T3 is an integrated terminal for both international and domestic flights, with a total capacity of 34 million passengers per annum. It has eight levels, 28 metres above the ground level with a built-up area of 5.5 million sq ft and an apron area of 6.3 million sq ft. |
