Noise emitted during piling on the bed of Tolly’s nallah in 2001 exceeded 180 dB(A) and such work was being done from 6 AM to 11 PM. On receipt of my complaint, The WB Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) directed Metro Railways to restrict their activities between 8 AM to 6 PM by Record of Proceedings No.2925(3)-13/WPB-G(1)/98 Dated 6/12/2001. Metro Railway complied with this directive.
Noise level was again measured during running of Metro- trains in September & October, 2009 and found that noise emitted exceeded the permissible level in residential areas by as much as 28.2 dB(A). Again on receipt of my complaint, WBPCB directed the General Manager, Metro Railways, Kolkata to take necessary measures for controlling and abatement of noise pollution by its URGENT Memo No. 1197-5L/WPB-2009/M.Rly. dated 11/11/2009. As no action has been taken by the General Manager, Metro Railways, Kolkata, I have sent so far THREE REMINDERS to WBPCB on 20/12/2009, 24/4/2010 & 1/9/2010. No response has been received from WBPCB.
Noise level has further increased due to ill-maintained coaches. Nose is almost continuous as 16 to 17 trains pass during 1 hr, i.e. 1 train in every 3 minutes. During running of trains, large number of residents living on both sides of Tolly’s nallah can neither hear each other nor the children & aged persons can sleep nor students can concentrate on their studies nor they can talk over phone. Besides these problems, high level of noise has increased blood pressure of senior citizens and are making them temperamental.
NOISE BARRIER HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY DELHI’S METRO. WHY THE CITIZENS OF KOLKATA ARE MADE TO SUFFER? NOISE BARRIER SIMILAR TO DELHI MUST BE PROVIDED AT KOLKATA ALSO AND IT CAN BE EASILY PROVIDED OVER THE PRESENT EXTENSION OF METRO FROM TOLLYGUNGE TO GARIA TO SAVE THE “MANUS” LIVING ON BOTH SIDES OF TOLLY’S NALLAH. HOPE THAT THE HON’BLE MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS SHALL TAKE A SYMPATHETIC VIEW AND GET THE SOUND BARRIER ERECTED WITHOUT DELAY.