Mumbai: The Bombay high court has asked the state government why steps were not being taken to curb noise pollution during construction of the metro.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oak and Justice Riyaz Chagala was hearing petition filed by Colaba resident Robin Jaisinghani, who alleged that people who reside near construction sites face inconvenience due to late night work of the Metro-3 project. He further sought a compensation of `10,000 per day for him and his family for the ‘hardships’ caused by the construction activity.

On June 7, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) had filed an application before a high court-appointed committee seeking permission to carry out work round the clock at Cuffe Parade for launching of tunnel boring machine which was required to be carried out. The same could be done only during the night time when there would be minimal traffic. The committee comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice S.M. Kemkar had rejected their application and directed them to approach a regular bench of the high court.

Advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni explained that the tunnel-boring machine would be brought and assembled at the spot, but failed to give explanation about violation of the prescribed noise level. The court asked the state to elaborate on the noise level and kept the hearing on Friday.