Ask pilots to use minimum thrust reversal while landing: NGT

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal today directed aviation regulator DGCA to issue advisory to pilots to use minimum thrust reversal while landing at airports in order to cause less noise pollution. Thrust reversal, also called reverse thrust, is the temporary diversion of an aircraft engine's exhaust so that it is directed forward, rather than backwards, thereby reducing noise. "The use of thrust reversal by aircraft while landing is in no way unsafe. The airlines and pilots often use thrust reversal to reduce wear and tear of tyres.

"You have to strike a balance between economic motives and noise generated from aircraft. The pilots should use thrust reversal as necessity and not to save fuel. Why don't you issue advisory to pilots in this regard," a bench headed by NGT chief Justice Swatanter Kumar said. The observation came after DGCA counsel told the bench that it was in the process of issuing advisory to pilots in this regard and apprised the NGT about the developments on the next date of hearing.

The green panel also asked the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to develop green cover around the area and increase the height of the boundary wall of the airport to minimise sound pollution. The matter was posted for next hearing on March 29. DGCA had earlier told the NGT that all aircraft operating from India were compliant with noise standard requirements laid down by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a UN agency, in order to operate globally. It had said that the fleet of Indian scheduled operators was quite new and the aircraft were quieter than their earlier versions, resulting in less noise pollution.

The green panel was hearing a plea a batch of pleas filed by the residents of South Delhi's Vasant Kunj, Bijwasan and Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), a super-specialty hospital, seeking directions to reduce noise level in the residential areas near the airport. The pleas alleged that the noise created by aircraft at the IGI airport was affecting the health of the residents of nearby areas.