Metro-3 noise: Soon, call to register plaint

MUMBAI: The state government on Monday told the Bombay high court that eight toll-free numbers will be made available to citizens to deal exclusively with complaints of noise pollution related to the Mumbai Metro Line-3 construction work.

According to advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, the state will ensure that all lines are functional until the completion of the work for the Metro Line-3, which will connect south Mumbai to Seepz in suburban Andheri. Additionally, complaints will also be accepted via emails and will be responded to immediately.

Kumbhakoni was responding to a plea filed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) seeking permission to undertake work on the Metro line at night. MMRCL contended that limiting the work hours to daytime has prolonged the time period required to complete the work, leading to cost escalation.

The plea was filed in response to a petition filed by advocate Robin Jaisinghani complaining about the noise emanating from the construction equipment. In his petition, Jaisinghani complained that the work being carried out violated the noise pollution rules and an August 2016 judgement of the Bombay high court that disallowed noiseemitting equipment from being used in residential areas between 10pm and 6am. Jaisinghani’s plea pointed out that Metro construction work had received a nod from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) on the condition that no work would be carried out at night. “Despite these rules, noise levels exceed 90 to 100 db at any given point at night,” he said.