Metro work: HC seeks to know if noise pollution norms violated

The Bombay High Court sought to know from the Maharashtra government if there is any violation of noise pollution norms at three spots in the city, where construction work for Metro-III line is underway, as claimed by petitioners.

The HC directed the state government to file an affidavit stating whether it intends to take any action against the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), in case there is violation of noise level norms.

A division bench of Justices A S Oka and Riyaz Chagla had last week directed police to conduct checks at Churchgate and Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai, and in Mahim, a western suburb.

The direction was given while hearing a bunch of petitions on strict implementation of the Noise Pollution Rules.

One of the petitioners, Sumaira Abdulali had told the high court that the noise levels due to the construction of the Metro III Colaba- Andheri- Seepz line are very high.

A report was today submitted to the court giving details of the noise readings taken at the above three spots.

As per the report, noise decibel levels at all the three spots was way higher than the permissible limit.

Additional government pleader Manish Pabale, however, told the high court that the police followed a standard procedure in such cases by which noise levels are recorded thrice and the average is then taken.

Hence in this particular case, the police cannot register an offence, he said.

The HC said the government should put this stand in an affidavit and some senior official should take responsibility.

"File an affidavit..tell us if there are violations. If yes, then is the government ready to take action?" the HC asked.

The bench directed the government to file the affidavit by May 4 when it will hear the petitions.