SIMEI NEW TOWN (Construction of sound-proof shelter to combat noise pollution)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Communications whether the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation will consider constructing a sound-proof shelter to combat the unacceptable level of noise pollution created by its trains passing by the residential blocks of flats in Simei New Town.

The Minister for Communications (Mr Mah Bow Tan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the noise levels of passing trains throughout the MRT system are generally within the guideline recommended by the Ministry of the Environment. This guideline is comparable to the noise standards that are adopted by other countries which have MRT systems.

At Simei, recent measurements by the Ministry of the Environment showed that the noise levels meet this guideline at the noisiest stretch which is also near the Pan-Island Expressway.

Building sound-proof shelters will not eliminate the noise completely. With its high capital and maintenance cost, sound-proof shelters are also not the most cost-effective way of reducing the noise.

SMRT will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the noise emission is kept as low as possible. Where necessary, they will take remedial steps to reduce this noise by grinding the rails and maintaining the wheel profiles of the trains frequently.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I just want to get the Minister to name the level of noise which is within the Ministry of the Environment's guideline?

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Sir, the standard that is set by the Ministry of the Environment is 67 dBA over an hour.