Environment Ministry red signals rooftop helipads in Mumbai

MUMBAI: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is not in favour of allowing new helipads to come up in the metropolis, Bombay High Court has been told.

Maharashtra Government is 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 this may aggravate the noise pollution problem here.

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, such 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.

The matter will come up for hearing next week.