NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Environment and Forests headed by Mr Jairam Ramesh has taken a decision that would ground the plans of many to have their own helipads.

In an important step to check the growing noise pollution, the ministry would not give environmental clearance to private helipads.

''There is a complete and firm no from my ministry to such a proposal,'' said Mr Ramesh talking to reporters here.

When pointed out that a lot of people were owning helicopters and had their helipads, the Minister said, ''No new private helipads would now come up in any part of the country.'' The Minister's statement came in the course of talking about the issue of environmental clearance to the Navi Mumbai airport.

He said he had discussed the issue with the Mahrashtra Chief Minister too.

The Maharashtra government had a plan to set up helipads on Mumbai rooftops.

There were several applications lying with Mr Ramesh' ministry for environmental clearance to private helipads. His ministry has already told Bombay High Court in an affidavit earlier that it did not support more helipads in Mumbai.

Regarding the Navi Mumbai airport, Mr Ramesh said the final Environmental Assessment Report regarding the Navi Mumbai airport would be submitted to his ministry tomorrow, and it would be difficult to say when and whether the airport project would be cleared by his ministry.