Kokapet Vertex Panache residents lose sleep as late-night construction continues for 4 years

Hyderabad: For the past four years, residents of Vertex Panache in Kokapet have been experiencing sleepless nights due to a large construction project adjacent to their houses working late into the night.

The relentless construction activity taken out by the Ramky Infra Projects on the site is causing severe air and noise pollution, the residents complain. Almost four years ago, the construction firm began the project and completed its first phase. Currently, the construction work for their project’s second phase is ongoing.

Loud noises from fast-paced construction work disturbing people

Furthermore, they claimed, the movement of large vehicles for construction work is concerning because the apartment complex contains many elderly people and young children. For those who are tired of the fast-paced work at the adjacent construction and labour sites, the situation is identical throughout the quickly growing city.

They are constantly awakened by the piercing sound of the marble or stone breaker, the harsh clang of metal on metal or the thunderous sound of the excavator, and the ceaseless spinning of the large cement mixer.

Ramky is violating laws regarding work management, say residents

Explaining his plight to NewsMeter, Vertex Panache Flat Owners Maintenance and Mutually Aided Cooperative Society Ltd (VPFOMMACS) secretary S Lakshmi Narasimha Rao said that the excessive noise and air pollution caused by the construction activities currently taking place at the adjacent site operated by Ramky Infra Projects continue unabated.

“Ramky Infra Projects has been continuously violating specific laws and regulations pertaining to noise pollution, suspended air particles and AQI standards. The noise levels during construction at nights, including concrete pumping, have reached unbearable levels, severely impacting their mental health and well-being, particularly that of children,” Rao said.

Elaborating further, he said that the Ramky Infra Projects earlier installed a tin tunnel from the top of the floor through which they are dumping construction rubble that makes ear-splitting noise.

What is the law regarding construction work during nights?

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, specify permissible noise levels during the nights between 10 pm and 6 am and the ambient noise standards for construction sites in residential areas should not be exceeded by 55 decibels.

Rao also emphasised the need to mitigate air pollution caused by suspended air particles during construction. The CPCB has set ambient air quality standards, including limits for particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5), to protect public health. Construction sites are required to implement measures to minimise dust emissions and prevent exceeding the prescribed limits.

Suspended dust particles causing health problems

“Ramky Infra Projects has been consistently violating these regulations by conducting construction activities, including concrete pumping, during restricted hours and surpassing the permissible decibel limits, causing severe mental health issues among residents. They are also not complying with the basic guidelines of fabric cover to restrict Suspended Air Particle dispersion and reduction in AQI. This has been corroborated by the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB),” Rao said.

Waste water dumping leading to water stagnation

Rao said that he had also called the emergency police number to inform of their latest water waste dumping in public government land that is resulting in water stagnation and breeding of mosquitoes, There are 8 to 9 per cent reported cases of dengue and chikungunya cases reported in Vertex Panache due to heavy mosquitoes infestation due to this stagnated water accumulation and increasing every day.

The Vertex Panache secretary also said that despite raising the issue before the TSPCB in May 2023, there were no concrete measures taken by them in addressing the problem.

Following the complaint, the TSPCB officials visited Vertex Panache on August 3, 2023, and December 14, 2023. “The TSPCB officials took the readings of air and sound from the locality, and they also found the levels are more than permissible limits. Anticipating justice, we knocked on the doors of Lokayukta on November 29, 2023,” he said.

Discussions with Pollution Board futile, say residents

Rao also said that a signature campaign was also conducted with 349 residents (in a total of 521 flats) regarding unbearable noise pollution during nights due to ongoing construction activities and vehicular movement at the adjoining site operated by Ramky Infra Projects.

“A formal complaint to the TSPCB and our multiple follow ups with them for an amicable solution becoming futile. This lack of response had led us to question the possibility of collusion between the concerned builder and relevant authorities, raising serious concerns about ethical practice, transparency and accountability. The PCB, Telangana, has submitted a report to the Lokayukta stating that the norms of noise pollution both in the daytime and nighttime are above the permissible levels,” Rao said.

“The police, after the Lokayukta’s intervention, have lodged an FIR. So, this is a perfect example of the saying, ‘Operation is successful, but the patient is dead.’ The inaction from government agencies and the defiant continuation of noisy work in the night by the builder makes us believe that our complaint is also allowing the concerned parties to benefit in some way as the stakes are becoming higher,” the Vertex Panache secretary said.

Even after approaching the Lokayukta multiple times for justice, there was no response from them.

“In February, we also withdrew the complaint filed with the Lokayukta. We are not against the construction activity and development in and around our surroundings. Our only intention is that Ramky Infra Projects should carry out the works in the stipulated time, considering the health and mental condition of the residents,” he said.