KSPCB plans to restrict Metro work at night

Vaman Acharya, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on Thursday said the Board was mulling over putting restrictions on the Namma Metro construction work during the night.

The KSPCB Chairman said the Board has received a number of complaints pertaining to pollution and related problems due to Metro works in the city. Also, we need to consider the recent High Court ruling, which has banned construction activities after 10 pm, he added.

“We are also contemplating setting up a committee to monitor pollution from Metro construction activities and, make related recommendations to address the problem.

The Board was not very keen on enforcing night restriction for Metro works as the project has a short deadline to meet and, such restrictions will delay the project. However, in the wake of the recent court ruling, we have to be rigid in enforcing restrictions," he said.

Acharya said the whole effort was to try and bring down the pollution which has been caused by the Metro work in the city. “We are of the opinion that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) should make efforts to tar or concretise roads before construction begins, so that the dust generation can be reduced,” he added.

A senior official of the BMRCL, on the condition of anonymity, said restriction of Namma Metro work during night will hit the project deadlines severely. Already the project has been delayed due to problems such as land acquisition. Most of the work on Metro corridors, including sensitive works like welding etc., can be carried out only during night, he said. 

One of the spokespersons of the BMRCL, however, said that they would be in a position to write back to the KSPCB only after they get an official communication from them.