2 more sensors set up at Mumbai airport to measure aircraft operation noise

Authorities recently installed two more noise sensors as part of its comprehensive Noise Monitoring System to monitor and measure the noise generated due to aircraft operations.

According to airport officials, two permanent Noise Monitoring terminals (NMTs) have been installed outside airport premises in landing and take-off path of the main runway. One mobile NMT was earlier installed in the airport premises.

The development seems significant in view of a research report released in 2013 by British Medical Journal, revealing that people living close to an airport may face increased risk of cardiovascular diseases due to constant noise pollution caused by the aircraft movement.

Officials involved with the development of the project said the noise events are monitored round the clock and are assigned to individual aircraft movement. The noise data is used to access the noise pollution due to aircraft movement as well as the effect of background noise on residents living nearby. The data collected is analysed in an MoEF-accredited laboratory. "Based on the results, noise modeling and contouring is being done for effective analysis and further noise abatement measures," said an official from Mumbai International Airport Limited.

While one sound sensor has been installed on top of SNDT college in Juhu and another over Sarvodaya hospital in Ghatkopar, one more has been kept outside the airport terminal.