Maharashtra government is all set to install India’s first ever noise barrier on 1,150 metre stretch of road in Mumbai for noise abetment measures in the city.

The project will be implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) for Rs 8.68 crore from Kala Nagar to Income Tax building junction.

“After receiving complaints from the residents of the Bandra-Kurla Complex, MMRDA undertook noise mapping exercise on the four km Bandra- Kurla Link Road. Now that the study – which involved steps such as noise propagation modeling, acoustic design and finalizing material and type of noise barriers – has been completed, MMRDA has begun to install the noise barriers,” said Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director (PR), MMRDA.

The noise mapping study conducted by M/s. Metel-mecannica, Italy, involved noise wave propagation and modeling the same to find out building-wise and floor-wise noise levels using materials that conform to European standards.

The barriers are made of expanded clay, PMMA (Poly methyl methacrylate) sheets and perforated aluminum sheets.

Explaining nuisance caused by high noise levels in the area MMRDA chief engineer S R Nandargikar said, “The noise mapping study undertaken in the Bandra-Kurla Complex showed noise levels ranging from 65 to 98 decibels. However, after installation of the five-meter tall noise barriers, we expect the noise levels to drop to acceptable limits of 55 decibels during the day time and well below 45 decibels during the night”.

The project has been given to the lowest bidder M/s Fracasso (I) Private Limited.