MMRC gets HC nod for temp night shift

On a temporary basis, the Bombay High Court has allowed the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) to remove debris and muck lying near the Metro-3's construction sites in south Mumbai between 10 pm and midnight for three days.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice MS Sonak allowed the corporation to remove the debris, causing minimum noise and nuisance around the sites from November 30 to December 3.

The corporation had asked for permission to ply 150 trucks which cannot enter the city during the day to be allowed to come in at night to remove the debris. The bench was of the view that the residents should sacrifice a bit as the work is not going to be permanent.

The court relaxed the ban imposed on carrying out work during nighttime while hearing a petition filed by one Cuffe Parade resident, Robin Jaisinghani, who claimed that MMRC, which is constructing the Metro-3 line, is carrying out work during nighttime thereby violating noise pollution rules which prohibit work between 10 pm and 6 am.

Earlier the court had expressed displeasure after it was pointed out that the work continued in violation of the court's orders. The bench had then said, "Don't compel us to stop the work. If work is carried out beyond the prescribed period, it will be viewed seriously and appropriate action would be taken."

MMRCL had filed an affidavit saying that noise pollution rules do not apply to them as the rules were framed under the Environment Protection Act and are general in nature.