Stop noise from coastal road work or face action: Pune NGT

MUMBAI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Pune, has directed state pollution authorities to take action against the BMC-including confiscation of drilling equipment and prosecution-if it fails to stop noise pollution from the coastal road construction site in Worli in the next three weeks, reports Chittaranjan Tembhekar.
"After having heard both the sides, we are of the view that as regards air pollution, the respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) standard prescribed in the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (100 micrograms per cubic meter for 24 hrs average) is within limit as per the affidavit submitted by the MPCB. But the noise pollution level has certainly exceeded the day and night time limits of (55 dB) and (45 dB) for residential areas," the NGT said.
'Construction equipment for coastal rd work used at night'
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Pune, has sought action against the BMC if it does not curb noise pollution from the coastal road project.
For meeting the prescribed pollution norms in the construction of the project, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had written to the municipal commissioner.
It has, however, not received a feedback on the action taken. "We direct the MPCB to ensure that the noise pollution is brought within permissible limits within a period of three weeks from today, failing which it will proceed against the defaulting agency as per the rules," the NGT order said.
In his application before the NGT, the appellant, Dileep B Nevatia, had alleged that construction machines were operational till late at night throughout the week, causing massive increase in air and noise pollution levels, affecting lakhs of residents living along the project site.
"In order to carry out noise monitoring, officials of the pollution board in Mumbai visited the site and carried out ambient noise monitoring from my premises for 24 hours while drilling for the project was underway. The drilling activity of one machine was stopped at 9pm while others were stopped at 10pm. During the night hours, work on unloading of steel bar bundles and muck transportation from trailers was on with the help of cranes for about one hour," Nevatia said in his appeal.
He added that in its affidavit, the BMC had already submitted that even before the commencement of the coastal road project (south), an environment impact assessment (EIA) study and a pre-construction noise level survey had showed the noise levels to be exceedingly high beyond permissible limits due to general traffic movement along the stretch. He further told the NGT bench that the reports submitted by the environmental agency deployed by BMC contractors suggested that the noise norms were within the 75db limit, which is not the norm according to pollution rules. "As per contract terms, in no case the noise should exceed 90dBA (slow) or peak sound pressure level of 140dB. But these norms are not at all as per the noise pollution rules," said Nevatia.
Meanwhile, the appellant, through his counsel, said instead of making a request, the MPCB could have proceeded against the defaulting person under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which has not been done so far for reasons best known to the agency.
The Rs 14,000 crore coast road project stretches between Nariman Point and Worli.