Rs 50,000 fine to be slapped on airlines if they empty human waste in air

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that it will impose a fine of 50,000 rupees on airlines if their planes empty toilet tanks in the air while landing and splattering human waste on houses. To this effect, NGT has asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to issue a circular to all airlines which are involved in such acts to pay the fine as environmental compensation. The order of NGT comes at the backdrop of the plea filed by the retired army officer alleging dumping of human excreta by air crafts over residential areas around the IGI Airport. Usually, the waste in the aircraft tanks is disposed of by the ground handling staff of the concerned airlines once the aircraft lands.

National Green Tribunal is a statutory body established by a Government Notification using the powers of Section 3 of the NGT Act 2010. NGT is a special fast-track court to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues. It has been established to assure the right to a healthy environment to the citizens of India as enshrined in Article 21 of Constitution.