MNS leader submits proposal on need for guidelines.
The increase in construction activity in the city has led to a barrage of complaints to the civic body about rising noise pollution levels. The BMC acknowledges the need to frame guidelines pertaining to noise pollution during construction work.
MNS leader Dilip Lande recently tabled a proposal with the municipal secretary for drafting new guidelines for noise pollution during construction work. “The issue should be discussed on the floor of the house in the corporation’s general body meeting so that people’s representatives can voice the concern of citizens,” Lande told DNA.
The development and planning (DP) department is mulling over the proposal, saying it is the “need of the hour”. Rajiv Kukunoor, chief engineer, DP department, said that the civic body is considering framing guidelines so that construction work is carried out by making minimum noise. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, however, does not have provisions for such guidelines.
“In the last few years, there has been a rapid growth in the construction of multi-storey towers. During their construction, residents have to bear with a lot of noise which is a physical and mental health hazard. The civic body must come up with guidelines which developers must adhere to while carrying out development in residential areas,” Lande said.
The Bombay high court in December 2012 had asked the BMC to frame guidelines for construction activity which leads to noise pollution. “The guidelines are essential as we cannot take action against developers even in silence zones for want of law,” said a civic official.
An officer from the building proposals department which sanctions new development plans said there have been complaints about noise caused by construction activities, but in the absence of guidelines, we do not know how to address the grievances of people. “Citizens approach us complaining about vibrations in their building because the foundation for a tower is laid on its adjoining plot. However, unless the building is visibly damaged, we cannot take action against the developers,” the officer said.
The prescribed noise level is 75 decibels for compactors (rollers), front loaders, concrete mixers, cranes (movable), vibrators and saws used for construction activities.
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