HC refuses to interfere in Delhi Metro's elevated project

The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking to scrap the metro's elevated corridor project in south Delhi on the ground that it would cause noise pollution in residential areas.

A bench headed by Justice T S Thakur, however, directed the Centre and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to make all possible efforts to reduce the level of noise pollution which will be caused by the metro rail running on the elevated corridor.

The petition, filed by residents of south Delhi colonies falling on the route of the project, had contended that running metro rail on elevated corridor would create noise pollution and would interfere in their private life as it would be passing very close to their homes.

The elevated corridor of 4.5 km is being constructed between Jawaharlal Stadium and Kalkaji colony and would pass through Jangpura, Kailash Colony, Defence Colony, Lajpat Nagar and Greater Kailash.

The Centre had defended the elevated project, saying a huge investment would be required for building an underground Metro corridor.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had also contended that contract for the project had already been awarded to the companies and it would not been possible to revert back.

The court had in an earlier hearing questioned the rationality behind building an elevated corridor for metro instead of making it underground.

“We can understand if the project was passing through an undeveloped area. But we are dealing with a case where the elevated corridor will pass through well-established colonies,” the Bench had earlier said, however, refusing to stay the ongoing project.