MMRDA wants metro work to go on after 10pm

MMRDA wants metro work to go on after 10pmManthank Mehta| TNN | Updated: Feb 13, 2017, 11.55 PM IST
Currently, civil work for the metro corridor is only permitted between 5am and 10pm, allowing for seven hours ... Read More
MUMBAI: Citing "already high" decibel levels on arterial roads, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has sought that noise pollution rules be relaxed to extend metro work hours for faster completion of the project.

Currently, civil work for the metro corridor is only permitted between 5am and 10pm, allowing for seven hours of respite.

Praveen Darade, additional metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, said, "We are going to seek changes in noise pollution rules. The relaxation will not make much of a difference in the noise level as the decibel levels are already quite high in areas alongside arterial roads because of heavy traffic."

Darade added that though work can begin at 5am, labourers are unwilling to start that early. As of now, contractors try to carry out work late at night but are prevented by patrolling police. "If the work is completed quickly, traffic mess will wind up earlier than expected," he said.

Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation said, "This position is contrary to what the state has told the high court. It has, in fact, assured the court of coming up with guidelines for construction work to reduce hardship caused by high noise levels. We have measured the decibel levels at construction sites, where they exceed 85dB. Even when is construction is not on, the noise level can be breached because of loading and unloading work itself."

Meanwhile, some residents are not averse to relaxation in noise rules.

Goregaon resident Ajay Naik said, "The faster the work gets completed, the better it will be for us as air pollution level are dangerously high because of traffic snarls as the road width has been narrowed considerably for metro work."