Road side noise beyond limit in Panchsheel Park: DPCC to NGT

New Delhi: Delhi Pollution Control Committee Monday informed the National Green Tribunal that roadside noise levels near Panchsheel Park area in South Delhi is beyond permissible limits.

The submission was made by the DPCC in its report filed on the directions of the NGT, which directed the authority to file another report regarding the noise level in the residential colony. A bench headed by Justice P Jyothimani also directed Delhi Traffic Police to find out if it would be feasible to regulate the movement of heavy vehicles currently plying in that area through another route. "The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has filed its report, as earlier directed by this Tribunal. On reading of this report it shows that the roadside noise level in the area is beyond the permissible limit. However, the report does not contain the status about the noise level near residential colony. "Accordingly, we direct the DPCC to file further report regarding the noise level which is in existence in the locality concerned. We also direct, in the meantime, the Traffic Police of Delhi to find out about the possibility of regulating the heavy vehicles movement from this particular area through some other area," the bench said. The NGT also directed the Public Works Department to "provide option for sound barriers on the road" adjoining the colony and listed the matter on December 18, 2013 for further hearing. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Omesh Saigal, a colony resident, who has alleged that noise pollution, generated due to heavy traffic flow on the Outer Ring road, is affecting the health of the people living in the area. The petition has sought directions to the government or any of the civic bodies to install screens, to block the noise, along both sides of the road. Saigal has alleged in his petition that the government has failed to take measures for abatement of noise and to ensure that existing noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000.