Noise from Metro work in Sobo touches a new high

Seven locations were monitored in eight days

MUMBAI: Cuffe Parade may be prime real estate in south Mumbai, but for those living near the construction along the Colaba– BANDRA-SEEPZ line, the noise is shattering the area’s calm.

A report by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI) has found that digging, blasting and heavy vehicular movements are pushing noise levels beyond permissible limits at all times of day.

“It was observed during monitoring that noise barriers with sufficient height were found only at a few places such as Dalamal Park Building and at small section along Captain Prakash Pethe Marg. Due to absence of noise barriers at other locations, even though the construction was carried out away from the residential buildings, high noise levels were observed near the residences,” stated the CSIR-NEERI report.

HT has accessed a copy of the report, which was submitted to the Bombay high court (HC) following a public interest litigation (PIL) by Robin Jaisinghani of Dalamal Park, who complained that construction work was being carried out in violation of the noise pollution rules. The CSIR and NEERI monitored noise levels at seven locations between July 20 and July 28.

The highest during the day – 91.9 decibels (db) – was at Goolestan building. At night, Revills building recorded the highest, at 83.4db. Of all the seven noise monitoring locations, the lowest during the day (68.5db) and at night (60.3db) were near Venus building. This area also recorded the lowest average noise level. The highest average noise level of 86.6db was at CPRA Garden.

Average noise levels of more than 82db were observed at all locations except Venus, due to construction and traffic. During the night, average noise levels of 78.4db and 77.2db were recorded near Rivells and Goolestan, due to traffic.

Even the low levels recorded near Venus building are higher than the prescribed noise standards for residential areas.

Noise levels from 80db to 90db, which is what most of the seven locations recorded, are equivalent to a freight train at 15 metres or a motor cycle at 25 metres.