Hyderabad residents protest night construction noise, dust
HYDERABAD: Residents returning home after a day’s work are increasingly afraid to enter their houses, while some say they cannot stay indoors due to severe disturbance. Construction activity in residential areas without safeguards has become a major cause.
Builders and property owners are digging foundations without precautions, blasting rocks at night, carrying out slab and centring work till early morning, and demolishing houses in ways that fill entire colonies with dust. Thousands of residents face hardship daily due to such violations.
Victims allege that authorities have not acted despite repeated complaints. They say officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, the police and the Telangana Pollution Control Board have failed to take firm steps.
Residents complain of breathing issues due to dust pollution
At RTC Cross Roads near Golconda Chowrasta, construction undertaken by Gentry Homes has caused severe inconvenience to residents of Ford House Apartments. Elderly people, patients and children in nearby homes are facing respiratory problems because of constant dust.
“Night-time excavation work does not allow us to sleep. We have been filing complaints for months with the police, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the Pollution Control Board. Since October 5, we have submitted about 15 complaints. Acting on the Pollution Control Board’s advice, we approached the Chikkadpally Assistant Commissioner of Police. They warned the construction company and left,” residents said.
A similar situation prevails near the Mahila Mandali building in Naveen Nagar, Khairatabad, where four-storey construction work continues with loud noise till early morning.
Rules mandate display boards, dust control and noise limits
Norms require builders to display construction permission details on boards facing the road. Civic officials must inspect whether pillars are built as per approval and whether blue sheets are installed around the site. Work must be stopped if violations are found.
Noise levels in residential areas should not exceed 35 decibels between 6 am and 10 pm, and 45 decibels between 10 pm and 6 am. Pollution Control Board officials must halt work if limits are breached.
Slab and centring work should not be carried out at night. Although heavy vehicles are allowed to move only at night in the city, slab work must be completed between midnight and 2 am, while centring work should not be undertaken during night hours.
Residents should dial 100 to report violations. Blasting of rocks during excavation requires police permission and must be conducted during daytime.
When using excavators or carrying out demolition, sprinklers must be installed to prevent dust. Green nets should be placed around sites to avoid dust settling on neighbouring houses. If excavation or demolition damages nearby structures, residents may lodge complaints at the police station or approach a civil court.
