On Monday, the Supreme Court, directed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to promptly adjudicate any fresh applications concerning compliance with its earlier orders requiring Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) to monitor and disclose noise levels generated at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport runways.
The Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan was hearing an appeal against an NGT order that had declined to issue further directions regarding noise pollution caused by operations on Runway 29/11, which is used by more than half of all arriving and departing flights and has been a long-standing source of grievance for residents in Vasant Kunj and adjoining areas.
The challenged order, passed by an NGT Bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava with expert member A. Senthil Vel, had taken the view that DIAL had already complied with its March 21, 2024 directions, which required the installation of noise monitoring systems and publication of recorded levels on the airport’s official website.
Counsel for the petitioners, however, argued that compliance remained inadequate. While IGI Airport operates eight runways with sixteen operational ends, only five noise monitoring terminals have been installed so far, leaving large sections of the surrounding residential population exposed without proper oversight.
The Supreme Court noted that the impugned order had arisen from an execution application before the NGT, rather than a substantive petition seeking mandamus. In disposing of the appeal, the Court granted liberty to the petitioners to file a fresh application before the NGT, supported by necessary material, to pursue the reliefs earlier granted but allegedly left unimplemented.
The Bench clarified, “We dispose of this civil appeal by reserving liberty to the petitioner to file a fresh application before the National Green Tribunal along with all supporting material so as to seek appropriate reliefs, including those earlier granted by the NGT but not yet executed".
The Court further emphasized that any such application must be considered by the NGT expeditiously, on its own merits and in accordance with law.
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