BENGALURU: A resident of Vijaynagar on Friday complained about late-night high-decibel announcements at Vijayanagar Metro station. Complainant, M L Ravi Kumar told Express, “We have been suffering ever since the stretch was declared opened over a year ago. We do not have any problems with the noise caused by the running of trains but only by the loud announcements. At night, the sound gets more amplified. My 81-year-old mother and 95-year-old father struggle to sleep because of it.”
The announcements begin as early as 4 am affecting their sleep, Kumar claimed.
The wildlife photographer said he had orally complained many times to the Metro authorities as well as police but no action was taken. He added that many in the area suffered on account of the noise and it wasn’t only his family.
Asked about the reason behind the response, a senior police official said, “We did not act in haste. It was the third time this individual has complained. So, we wanted to take some action.”
A Metro official said that complaints related to high noise levels were received at S V Road and Indira Nagar stations too but it was the first time that the police have disrupted an official performing his duty over the issue.
Meanwhile, Abhay C V, a resident of Basavanagudi told Express that the noise was a serious issue. “For the past two weeks, we have been seeing trains operating post midnight. The sirens when the doors open as well as announcements are clearly audible and disturbing us all through the night. We stay near Lalbagh West Gate.”
BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola said, “We have brought the matter to the attention of the Police Commissioner so that appropriate action can be taken. It will be sorted out between BMRCL and the police soon.” Another Metro official stressed that all the announcements were being done bearing public welfare in mind and will continue.
Asked if the police had the authority to take such a drastic action, Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said, “The local police would have acted following public complaint. I will check with Vijayanagar police station and get back.”