ERECTION OF NOISE BARRIER FROM BUKIT BATOK MRT STATION TO TUNNEL IN DIRECTION OF BUKIT GOMBAK

In my recent house visits to residents at Blks 623 to 628, I received feedback about increased noise levels from the MRT track. Some believed that it may be attributable to the recently installed noise barriers on the opposite side of Bukit Batok MRT station. I therefore filed a parliamentary question raising this matter to Minister Iswaran. In his reply, Minister Iswaran informed that, pursuant to an investigation that was triggered after the filing of my PQ, a track defect was found that caused abnormal noise when the trains passed through. The defect was since rectified and the current noise levels are below NEA’s prescribed standard of 67 dB level over 1 hour. My thanks to our residents who raised this matter to me!

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Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Transport whether LTA will consider erecting a railway noise barrier from Bukit Batok MRT station to the tunnel in the direction of Bukit Gombak MRT station to deal with the increased noise level from the MRT track owing to an “echo effect” arising after the erection of noise barriers from the other end of Bukit Batok MRT station to Bukit Batok Street 22 in the direction of Jurong East MRT station.

Mr S Iswaran: Noise barriers along rail viaducts consist of panels which absorb noise generated from the train movement and should not cause an echo effect in any direction.

Regarding the rail viaduct segment between Bukit Batok Station and the tunnel highlighted by Mr Murali, LTA and SMRT conducted on-site investigation and discovered a track defect that was causing abnormal noise when trains pass through. Track rectification works were carried out on 23 August 2022. Since then, the measured noise level has reduced and is below NEA’s current noise criterion of 67 decibels averaged over an hour. LTA and SMRT will monitor the noise level around the area regularly and rectify any track defects promptly.