Rattled by Metro, 95-year-old files 800 RTIs

The Delhi Metro might be a blessing for lakhs but it has been nerve-wracking – literally -- for 95-year-old LR Goela who can feel tremors each time a train passes above his home in south Delhi’s Kailash Colony and has filed as many as 800 RTIs hoping for some intervention.

Determined to win his long battle for the right to live in peace and quiet, the retired government official said he has approached various ministries but to no avail.

“I have filed around 800 RTIs in different ministries and departments, including DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation), the Urban Development Ministry, the Central Pollution Control Board and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. But there has been no action yet,” an undeterred Goela told DNA.

Life was chugging along quite fine till the metro station was built over his home in 2010. “We were living peacefully here until the Kailash Colony metro station was constructed. Now we feel tremors every three minutes when a metro train passes by,” he said.

Since then, Goela, with the help of his son Arun Jindal, a navy officer posted in Kolkata, has been running from the proverbial pillar to post. 

The family recently installed soundproof windows in their house. “We have spent so much to bring some relief for our ailing father but it hardly makes any difference as the windows and doors still shake with every metro (train) passing by,” said Arun.

Goela added that his doctors had advised him to live in peaceful surroundings but they can’t even open windows to let in fresh air.

“I can’t wear my hearing plugs all the time as the noise coming in would amplify and make it unbearable for me. I only use them while talking to someone,” Goela said, fixing his ear plug.

The old-time Delhiite -- who came to the city from Haryana in 1938 and joined St Stephen’s before working with the defence ministry from where he retired in 1980 -- said his wife and he suffer from hypertension.

“The unbearable noise and tremors coming in due to the metro station make the situation even worse for us,” he added.

Why take on the strain of running around government offices at this stage of life? “I have lived my life but my family has to live here after me. I am fighting to give them a peaceful life,” he said simply.

DMRC replies

Asked for a response, a DMRC official said noise barriers had been installed in parts of the metro station long ago. “The DMRC had installed noise barriers in the area above their house immediately after receiving the first complaint in 2010,” the official said

According to experts, people in Delhi are generally exposed to very high degree of noise pollution going up to 65-70 DB during the day and 50- 55 DB during the night. A recent study on roads of the city where it was found the situation of most residential areas located near such roads to be highly exposed to disturbing noise.

Measures for construction Sites 

As such the government has not laid down specific rules for tackling noise pollution at construction sites, except for the guideline of permissible limits of 55 DB (day) and 45 (night). It is a neglected issue, as the DB level at such sites goes up to 90DB. 

However, construction agencies must take steps to minimise the levels of noise which includes providing acoustic barriers which do not allow sound to travel beyond the premises 

Erect temporary walls with concrete/brick or use iron barriers, which are used mostly at Delhi Metro construction sites. These can substantially reduces the noise levels. 

While developing a residential area, the building control line (distance from the road) should be kept. 

However, these are usually the grey areas where the government does not lay down any action plan to monitor or control the noise levels. In most developed countries, every construction site has to mandatorily install temporary barricades to absorb noise of machines.