'Noise rules don't apply to Metro construction'

Noise pollution rules cannot be enforced at Metro rail construction sites in Mumbai, which come under the Metro Act, a special enactment that can override the general laws under which such rules are framed, a senior official with the MMRCL said in an affidavit on Thursday.

Ashok Bhasme, Deputy General Manager (Civil), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), made the claim while opposing a petition filed by South Mumbai resident, Robin Jaisinghani, which seeks stoppage of Metro Line 3 construction as it violates noise rules. The Bombay High Court has in interim relief restrained MMRCL from carrying out any construction or ancillary work between 10 pm and 6 am.

The affidavit says "In case of Metro Railway there is a separate enactment focusing on Metro railway construction. By necessary implication the noise pollution rules do not apply to metro construction," the affidavit says.