Delhi’s RTR Flyover May Get Noise Barrier Costing INR 20 Cr
Jugaad is the exact word when we find a temporary solution for the not-so-temporary problem. And, if a necessary step is not taken in time, someone suffers. So, after years of ‘juggad’, the residents of the RTR flyover area finally have some good news coming.
The existing 900-metre flyover ( which was built in 2009), was a single carriageway till it was decided (in 2014) to construct a parallel one to decongest the existing one. But, the construction kept getting delayed sometimes due to residents moving to court and other hindrances. So, to be precise this new flyover will be 2.7-km-long and the project is expected to be completed by June 2018.
So here is the problematic scenario,
To construct this parallel flyover, the Public Works Department (PWD) sought Central Road Research Institute’s (CRRI) help. They asked them to study the noise pattern in the nearby areas.
According to the research, it was concluded that noise was loudest during the day at 78-82 dB and further by 10 dB during the night. And this would continue happening if they kept using the current noise barrier, which costs around Rs 1.5 Cr. But, as per standards, the noise limit is 55db in residential areas during the day and 45db in the night. Vasant Vihar, West End and Anand Niketan, Munirka and other areas near Rao Tula Ram Flyover will be affected.
The good news is the CRRI has suggested installing the micro-perforated noise barriers which will absorb noise, unlike the reflective ones which just reflects it and then install them in the nearby areas too.
Here is what Nasim Akhtar, a scientist with CRRI, who has performed the study has to say on the subject.
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)
He said, “We have recommended noise barrier at the flyover as it passes through residential areas. Such noise barriers are used in Taiwan, China and we recently got them installed at BR Ambedkar flyover in Mumbai. This barrier will reduce the noise by 18db-20 dB. It has small holes and the noise from the traffic will go to a box and be absorbed there. The height of the barrier should be 3.5 meters.”
As per their report, “Various traffic surveys in tandem with noise and vibration monitoring were conducted at four locations falling on the flyover corridor to understand the traffic scenario and the noise generated. Due to joints in flyover span, an approximately 10db noise will increase at flyover in the night time. Maximum noise level can even cross 100db.”
“A good noise barrier should be lightweight yet strong and durable, and should also be water/fire resistant. It should also be easy to maintain and assemble and disintegrate,” the report further said. This what a PWD official had to say on after the study has been conducted.
He said, “We have got the study conducted to understand the pattern. They have recommended the high-quality barriers and it is up to the government to decide.”
FYI, Block, concrete, wood or metal, without any added treatment or design behave like the reflective wall. And here is a look at how Absorptive Noise Barrier Walls are a better solution than the Reflective Barrier Walls.
