Airlines Dumping Poop in Indian Skies to be Punished! DGCA Orders Rs 50,000 Fine for Disposing Human Waste Mid-Air
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an order on August 30 warning airlines operating in India against emptying the toilet tank during take-off or landing.
New Delhi, September 2: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an order on August 30 warning airlines operating in India against emptying the toilet tank during take-off or landing. According to the order, airlines would have to pay a penalty of Rs 50,000 if they do so. The order was issued after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) warned the aviation regulator to stop funding the salaries of DGCA employees if the later failed to issue a circular by August 31.
“In compliance with the directions of the NGT, all air operators have been directed to not to release any waste during landing and take off or near airports. The operators have been told that they would have to pay Rs 50,000 as environmental compensation if their planes are found dumping waste mid-air. They have been asked to submit monthly reports,” reported Hindustan Times quoting DGCA official. However, as per the DGCA, the directions were only interim as the matter is still subjudice.
In October 2016, former Lt Gen Satwant Singh Dahiya, who resides near the Delhi airport, had sought criminal proceedings against commercial airlines and asked for imposition of hefty fines. He moved the NGT alleging that human excreta was being dumped from the aircraft during landing on his terrace and neighbourhood. The DGCA had also formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter on December 5, 2016.
Meanwhile, NGT issued an order on December 20, 2016, asking the aviation regulator to issue a circular to the airlines refraining them from disposing of human waste from the aircraft during take-off and landing. However, aircraft manufactures claimed that it is impossible to empty a toilet tank in mid-air. In May this year, the DGCA moved NGT to put stay on its previous order of December 2016.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2018 11:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).