Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41882176›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

Environmental impacts of metro rail construction in chennai on air quality noise pollution and urban sustainability.

Ashutosh Das, Justus Reymond David, Padma Priya Swaminathan, Subha Chandrasekarabarathi, Sethuraman Jayaraman Sudarsan, Parthiban Pandian

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ashutosh DasCentre for Environment and Climate, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, India. ashutoshdas@soa.ac.in.
Justus Reymond DavidDepartment of Civil Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India. justusrd@srmist.edu.in.
Padma Priya SwaminathanDepartment of Civil Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India.
Subha ChandrasekarabarathiDepartment of Civil Engineering, Ramco Institute of Technology, Rajapalayam, India.
Sethuraman Jayaraman SudarsanSchool of Energy and Environment, NICMAR University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411045, India.
Parthiban PandianDepartment of Pathology, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Metro rail construction can introduce localized environmental disturbances during the development phase despite its long-term benefits for sustainable urban mobility. This study evaluates the air and noise pollution impacts of ongoing Chennai Metro Rail construction across Corridors 3 and 4, covering pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons. Air-quality monitoring was conducted for key pollutants—PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO—using high-volume air samplers and portable analyzers, while noise levels were continuously recorded using digital sound level meters. Spatial mapping with GIS illustrated pollutant dispersion and identified localized hotspots of high particulate and acoustic loads. Results indicated pronounced seasonal and spatial variability in particulate matter concentrations across construction corridors, with PM10 levels peaking during the pre-monsoon period. Although average particulate concentrations largely remained within National Ambient Air Quality Standards, statistically significant seasonal differences were observed. Noise levels frequently approached or exceeded CPCB limits, particularly near densely built commercial corridors. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between PM2.5 and PM10, indicating common emission sources primarily related to construction activities and associated vehicular traffic. Health surveys indicated that nearly half of the nearby residents reported dizziness and other discomforts, along with respiratory and ocular irritation, which were spatially associated with areas of elevated air and noise levels. The findings indicate that metro construction can generate measurable localized environmental and public health stress, yet these impacts are temporary and can be mitigated through dust suppression, acoustic barriers, and controlled scheduling. Integrating real-time monitoring, community engagement, and adaptive environmental management can transform metro projects into resilient pathways toward sustainable urban development.

Indexed as

Construction phase environmental impactsEnvironmental noise exposureGeospatial environmental monitoringMetro rail constructionParticulate matter pollutionSustainable urban infrastructureUrban air pollution

Identifiers

PMID41882176
PMCPMC13234185

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.