Thieves stealing flyovers’ noise barriers,DDA files complaint

“About two months ago,we noticed that nearly five panels had gone missing over a span of two weeks,and we filed an FIR then. Recently,three to four panels have gone missing again,” a DDA official said.

The polycarbonate panels,fixed with steel frames,are priced at approximately Rs 3,000 per square metre,and can fetch quite a sum in the Capital’s black market.

The decision to reduce noise pollution levels on and around flyovers by placing noise barriers is a fairly recent one. After various reports from agencies such as the Central Road Research Institute revealed that noise levels in the Capital must not be ignored any longer,local bodies such as the PWD introduced these barriers. The first of such panels made an appearance early last year on the three flyovers from IIT to the airport.

The thefts began soon after. In July 2010,there were reports of missing panels from Munirka and IIT flyovers. This had also led to a brief discussion about who is responsible for ensuring the panels’ safety. “The Munirka flyover,for instance,was the PWD’s responsibility as far as maintenance went and the Delhi Police was of the view that safety,too,was the PWD’s concern,” an official said.

With the Commonwealth Games fast approaching then,the panels were hastily replaced and the problem went unattended.