MMRC committed to follow more measures for noise mitigation

Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has been under immense flak for the noise emitting from the construction sites where the work for the metro has been going on. Residents from these areas have approached the Bombay High Court which has been taking cognisance of the issue and have asked the agencies to take certain measures like a start and end time for construction and measure the decibel levels at these sites. MMRC states they are committed to take noise mitigation measures.

“MMRC is committed to follow additional noise mitigation measures for reducing the noise generated during Metro construction activities.” said Ashwini Bhide, MD, MMRC in a meeting held at Mantralaya on Wednesday. In this meeting the noise mitigation measures implemented by MMRC were discussed. The meeting was conducted with Principal Secretary (Transport & Port), Government of Maharashtra, Manoj Saunik and Founder of Awaaz Foundation, Sumaira Abdulali.

Bhide, SK Gupta, Director (Projects), MMRC and R Ramana, Executive Director, MMRC provided details of the steps already being adopted at various sites to mitigate the noise. They also mentioned about difficulties that are being encountered due to congested site conditions. In the meeting, MMRC informed about installation of noise barriers in Cuffe Parade and Vidhan Bhavan stations and the techniques of removing muck with the mechanical device that is specially designed to eliminate impulsive noise created by piling activity. MMRC has also expressed their eagerness to implement feasible noise mitigation measures taking into consideration the site constraints.

Bhide said, “The high noise generating piling activity is temporary and would be completed along with excavation activities, which are expected to reach to 10 to 12 m deep by December 2018. This will significantly reduce noise levels due to metro activities.” She further added, “With completion of decking and piling at most of the sites, we believe the noise level should go down.” She also clarified that the baseline noise levels measured in the year 20162017 are already above the permissible limits.

The officials also proposed how various government departments are required to bring background levels down and take measures to reduce noise during construction. The Metro 3 project is expected to indicate technologies and methods used to execute such noise reduction measures, as an example to be emulated by all future building projects, both by government and private sector.

The high noise generating piling activity is temporary and would be completed along with excavation activities, which are expected to reach 10-12 metres deep by Dec 2018 - ASHWINI BHIDE, MD, MMRC