No effect of metro rail on DU environment

Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project authorities yesterday claimed that Dhaka University's (DU) atmosphere would not be affected by trains running through a section of a 20-kilometre metro rail route inside the campus.

Trains will be at 72 decibels running through DU Central Library and Doyel Chattar but the sound pollution will be "under control" and reduced by five decibels with the use of noise barriers and a "Mass Spring System", the authorities said in a statement.

But the permissible sound levels at educational institutions are 50 (day) and 40 (night) decibels as per the noise pollution (control) rules 2006.

Last week, hundreds of DU students and teachers in a human chain demanded an alternative to the disputed section of MRT Line 6, costing Tk 22,000 crore ($2.5 billion), saying it would damage historical structures.

The agitators are scheduled to hold a press conference today.

The project authorities said the DU authorities have been consulted several times beforehand and the route fixed after massive scrutiny.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader recently said the construction would begin near the end of next month with a 10km stretch from Uttara to Agargaon.