HC dismisses petition of S Delhi residents in elevated metro project

New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today dismissed a petition filed by south Delhi residents seeking scrapping of the Delhi Metro's elevated corridor project in south Delhi and demanding an underground project to avoid the noise pollution in the area.

A bench comprising Justices T S Thakur and Siddharth Mridul directed the Centre and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation(DMRC) 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 an elevated corridor would create noise pollution and would interfere in their private life as it would be passing very close to their houses.

The elevated corridor of 4.5 km stretch 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.

The DMRC had also contended that contract for the project had already been awarded to the companies and it was not 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.

While refusing to stay the project earlier, the court showed its concern as the elevated corridor will pass through well established colonies.

UNI SNG SP AS1811