Mumbai: Mumbai traffic police on Wednesday launched ‘No Honking Day’ to control unnecessary noise pollution. Before this, the initiative was taken almost 17 years ago, in 2006.
The officer said, “Unnecessary honking causes noise pollution in the environment and also adversely affects human health. We urge motorists to positively respond to the ‘No Honking Day’ by not honking the horns of their vehicles.”
The Mumbai Traffic Police has also recommended all motorists check that their vehicles’ horns comply with Rule 119 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. The police have cautioned that anyone who blares their vehicle horns excessively would face consequences under the Motor Vehicle Act and the Environment Protection Act of 1986. Except for ambulances, fire trucks, and other on-duty emergency vehicles, all drivers and riders in Mumbai have been urged to desist from honking on June 14 and other days.
Anti-noise pollution crusader Sumaira Abdulali of ‘Awaz Foundation’ said, “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.”
On Mumbai’s roads, around 43 lakh vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, light and heavy motor vehicles, freight carriers, and so on, circulate.
