Bombay HC: Metro essential, people should compromise during construction

The Bombay High Court today said it cannot put a permanent stop to the Metro III project as it is essential for decongestion of roads and hence people should "compromise and sacrifice" and put up with the problems created due to the construction work.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice N M Jamdar was hearing a bunch of petitions claiming that the construction activity for the project was resulting in noise pollution in the areas concerned.

Last month, the court had refused to allow the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) the use of heavy machinery or transportation vehicles at night for the Metro III line work.

The MMRCL had sought the court's permission to bring heavy vehicles to construction sites in South Mumbai "during the night hours to transport construction material and debris".

Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbakoni today sought that the court reconsider the issue and said, "The nature of machinery, equipment and material that needs to be brought in are heavy and large. Traffic needs to be stopped for these to be transported. It would not be proper if traffic is stopped during day time and hence it needs to be done at night."

The court then said it was aware of the authority's anxiety and concern to complete the project and directed the MMRCL to file an affidavit giving details of what work needs to be carried out during night time and the time schedule for the same.

"We are aware of your concern and anxiety. But at the same time we cannot overlook everything. You (MMRCL) cannot carry on work each night for a whole year. There are school and college children who have to prepare for exams," Chief Justice Chellur said.

"We understand that there has to be compromise and sacrifice by people too. We cannot permanently stop the
project. There needs to be a balance. We cannot stop development. This project will decongest roads and will
benefit everyone. Extreme sensitivity and arbitrariness is also not correct," she said.

The bench has now posted the petitions for hearing tomorrow by when the MMRCL will have to submit its affidavit.

The 33-kilometre Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro line III project is part of the Metro system which will connect the Cuffe Parade business district in south Mumbai to SEEPZ in the city's north-central suburb.

In August this year, acting on the above petitions, the court had restrained MMRCL from carrying out any
construction or ancillary work on the Metro III line between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.