The East-West Metro authorities have decided to halt “excavation work” at the construction site in Bowbazar from midnight to 4am every day so residents of the area can sleep in peace.
The decision was taken at a meeting on Friday convened in the wake of protests by the residents who were forced to “spend sleepless nights” because of “noise and vibration” that they linked to the Metro construction.
On Friday, The Telegraph reported that close to 50 residents had written to the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC), implementing agency of the East-West Metro, urging the agency to stop the “noise and vibration” at night.
Following a representation from residents of Durga Pithuri Lane and adjoining areas, local councillor Bishwarup Dey had sent a letter to the KMRC, urging them to stop work at night.
The residents also wrote a separate letter to the KMRC managing director.
On Friday, the KMRC replied to the councillor. A “detailed discussion” was held with ITD-ITD CEM, the executing agency of the project, the reply said.
“During the discussion, the executing agency informed us that for speedy completion of work, they are doing the work round the clock. They informed that they have measured vibration... and it is well within the permissible limit. Only noise... generally occurs at night during boring excavation... considering the public inconvenience, it has been decided that boring excavation work only be stopped during sleeping time i.e. from 00:00 to 04:00 hrs,” the letter said.
The concession from the KMRC failed to satisfy residents. The midnight-to-4am slot was too short, they said.
“Ideally, they should have suspended the excavation work for eight hours. Four hours of sleep is not enough. There are many elderly people and children who are severely affected by sleep deprivation,” said a resident.
The residents plan to take up the matter with the KMRC.
Dey said: “There has to be a balance. The KMRC should take some steps to minimise the problems of the residents. The residents should also adjust a little bit. The project should not suffer any more.”
In the wake of three subsidences and in a bid to prevent any more damage, the majority of the residents of the area have vacated their homes and are now in accommodations arranged by the KMRC.
An emergency evacuation shaft is now being built at the site. The work involves construction of around 30 underground pillars, said an engineer.
The East-West Metro is now functional between Salt Lake Sector V and Sealdah. Once complete, the corridor will link Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan. Metro officials are chasing a December deadline for commercial runs between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade.
The 2.5km stretch between Esplanade and Sealdah, and specifically an 800m stretch in Bowbazar, has emerged as a problem zone. “After several logjams, work had picked up pace. The suspension of excavation at night will again delay the completion of the shaft in Bowbazar,” said an engineer.