Mumbai Police’s Traffic Control Branch has declared June 14 to be “No Honking Day” to stop the practice of motorists using their horns needlessly, a top official said here on Monday. This is being done in an effort to reduce noise pollution and its detrimental effects on health.
“In addition to negatively affecting human health, unnecessary honking pollutes the environment with noise. We encourage drivers to participate in the “No Honking Day” by refraining from honking their horns, the officer said.
As per Rule 119 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, the Mumbai Traffic Police has also advised all drivers to check the horns on their cars.
According to the MV Act and the Environment Protection Act of 1986, “Action will be taken against those who indulge in needless horn blaring of their vehicles,” warned the police.
The Mumbai Traffic Control Branch also called upon all the drivers and riders in Mumbai city, barring ambulances, fire brigades and other on-duty emergency vehicles, to refrain from honking on June 14 and even other days as well.
Anti-noise pollution crusader Sumaira Abdulali of ‘Awaz Foundation’ has strongly welcomed the police initiative and said that the last time such an exercise was carried out in Mumbai was 17 years ago in 2006.
“This is the need of the hour. Awaz has done several sessions with the police on this menace and we have done studies on the ill-effects of honking without adequate reasons. We appeal to the police to ensure that it should not be only this Wednesday, but even all other days henceforth,” Abdulali told IANS.
She said that motorcycles are the worst noise polluters on the roads, touching as high as 110 decibels, and most other vehicles are in the range of 90-100 decibels which is a matter of serious concern, and since the fines for honking nuisance have been doubled, the law is in favour of the police.
Mumbai has an estimated vehicle population of around 43 lakh comprising two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, light and heavy motor vehicles, goods carriers, etc.
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