Mumbai: The Ministry of Environment
and Forests (MoEF) is not in favour of allowing new helipads
to come up in the metropolis, Bombay High Court was told
today.
In an affidavit filed today, R N Jindal, Additional
Director in MoEF, said "in view of high ambient noise levels
in Mumbai both during day and night, very often in excess of
prescribed standards, new helipads are avoidable".
The affidavit, however, clarified that Noise Pollution
Rules do not expressly bar construction of helipads in cities.
But, as it is, average noise levels in Mumbai cross
the prescribed limit of 50 decibel in residential zone, the
affidavit noted.
Earlier, in a letter to Chief Minister Ashok Chavan,
Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had said that
"considered view" in the ministry was that such helipads were
not desirable.
Maharashtra Government was considering allowing
helipads on rooftops in the city, a move opposed in some
quarters. In a PIL filed by city-based NGO Awaz Foundation and
others, the petitioners had expressed apprehension over the
rise in noise pollution if rooftop helipads were permitted.
The matter will be heard next week.
PTI
