RailEnquiry

Gurgaon  -- The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has started installing noise barriers on the MG Road Metro station stretch following fervent demands of residents to check the screeching sound of trains on the "sharpest" turn near the station. However, residents of the posh Essel Towers on MG Road are not content with the move and have demanded that the trains' speed be slowed down. According to DMRC, the speed can't be reduced as "it would disturb the train operations schedule". Residents have approached the union environment ministry, the Central Pollution Control Board and NGO Centre of Science and Environment seeking their intervention. In a study conducted by DMRC at one of the towers here, it was found that the noise level varied between 73 and 74 decibels (dB) in peak hours as against the prescribed standards of 45 and 55 dB. The noise of traffic movement on the road near the locality was found to be 70 dB during peak hours. In 2010, the then DMRC chief E Sreedharan had visited the site and assured residents of measures to check sound pollution. DMRC officials had promised that a continuous gauge face lubrication machine will be installed by May 30, 2011. However, the lubrication of tracks was done manually. "The DMRC of world fame has failed to keep its promise of installing track greasing instrument. It has started installing noise barriers which are of no use as the screeching continues to trouble us. The only solution is the slowing down of the train speed," said Rajesh Malhotra, president of Pearl Court Condominium Association, one of the condominiums in Essel Towers. According to DMRC additional general manager SA Verma, Delhi Metro has taken up the work of installing noise barriers on a 200-metre stretch on the curve opposite Essel Towers between Iffco Chowk and MG Road station. "Around 50% of the barriers have already been fabricated. Such installation work can be done only at night after train movement has stopped," he said. The station has the sharpest broad gauge curve with a radius of 282.05 metre between pier no. 125 to 137 which is less as compared to average curve of over 300 metre. Track curves of less than 300 metre are considered as 'sharp curves' in urban rail construction and is done to save existing buildings.