Noisy horns, silencers come under scanner
Pollution board recommends bans on amplified horns and modified exhausts on vehicles
Banning use of pressure horns and fancy silencers (which enhance noise of the car’s engine) from cars and bikes is essential to control noise pollution in the city, where noise levels are 15 per cent above the limits, according to data released by the Telangana Pollution Control Board.
The Telangana Pollution Control Board also recommends that two of the big noise makers — pressure horns and fancy silencers — must be banned.
Constant use of car horns, besides loud music from parties and events are the biggest sources of noise pollution in the city. It’s then essential to educate the public about the harmful effects of this constant din.
A senior official of TSPCB, on condition of anonymity, said, “Transport authorities should prohibit pressure horns, especially on private vehicles, as they are very disturbing at night. Traffic police should also book more cases for unnecessary honking and should educate people about avoiding excessive honking. There is an urgent need for an ‘action plan’ by the concerned authorities to control noise pollution levels.
“Pressure horns generally cross 100 decibels, which is very disturbing and dangerous for people. Police sirens are just 75 decibels and according to the rules set by the Supreme Court, even police cars and other emergency vehicles should maintain certain limits, which is why even police vehicles and VIP convoys using red and blue lights instead of sirens in the city.’’
T Ragunath, Joint Transport Commissioner Admin, points out that under the Motor Vehicles Act, air horns and multi-toned horns are already banned within city limits. “The big private buses use these horns in the city when they can only use them on highways. Like drunkendriving and other special drives, there should be special drives for monitoring and booking cases against noise pollution violators.
“More awareness should be created among people on how much noise pollution is created by the fancy silencers and honking. Also, public should be aware of decibel level limits. The fines for violators should also be increased.”
Abhiram Pyla, a bike lover and an IT professional from Hyderabad, says, “Instead of banning, I think a limit should
be set keeping in mind international brands. For instance, foreign brands without a special silencer is like any other vehicle. Where is the fun in that? Maybe, keeping in mind international standards, a limit should be set and all parties should be made aware of this, which includes traffic cops, riders etc. Otherwise, there is a chance that riders of luxury cruisers might be harassed. When we boast of this being the best city to live in, we can’t form policies based on old laws and old beliefs.”