MASS RAPID TRANSIT TRAINS (Noise levels)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for the Environment (a) whether the level of noise generated by the moving Mass Rapid Transit trains has deteriorated above the average permitted noise levels; and (b) how many complaints on exceeded noise levels has his Ministry received from residents whose dwelling apartments are located next to the MRT tracks since the MRT system started operation.

The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, since the MRT system started operation in 1987, my Ministry has received eight complaints of noise from MRT trains.

The SMRT, which operates the MRT system, dealt with the complaints and took prompt actions to reduce the noise to permitted levels. With proper maintenance of the system, we do not expect deterioration in noise levels and this has been the observation of my Ministry so far.