Mumbaikars move Bombay High Court, stand divided on issue of Metro-3 work at night

The tussle between Mumbaikars for and against the construction of the Metro-3 line between Colaba and SEEPZ has reached the Bombay High Court. A group of citizens from Colaba, Mahim and Andheri have come out in support of the metro line, and want it to be expedited for the betterment of the city.

Michael Pereira, a resident of Colaba, informed the court that he would want to intervene in the petition filed by Cuffe Parade resident Robin Jaisinghani seeking a stay on the metro work during night time. Pereira told the court that Jaisinghani's petition need not be construed as the opinion of the majority of Mumbaikars.

Pereira has been allowed to file a application, raising his objections on Friday.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice NM Jamdar has asked the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) to file an affidavit on the kinds of work which cause the maximum noise. A time schedule of works which need to be carried out during daytime, and its completionhas also been called for.

The bench also indicated to the petitioner, "There has to be some compromise."

The directions were given during the hearing of the petition filed by Jaisinghani who has sought stay of work during night-time as it violates noise pollution norms.

NOISE MATTERS

• The MMRCL has filed an affidavit stating that the noise pollution rules do not apply to them as rules framed under the Environment Protection Act are general in nature, while Metro Act is a special statute which should prevail over a general enactment.