Police go hammer and tongs to silence noisy bikers

Stung by the deafening noise, Thane (rural) police sleuths launched a crackdown to stop bikers from using shrill horns and illegally-modified silencers, as they make a noise beyond the permissible limits.

Not limiting their action to monetary penalties, the Bhayandar division cops, led by Atul Kulkarni, the assistant SP, have started to remove the illegal modifications or alterations at the spot. Armed with hammers and tongs, the personnel have already removed silencers and shrill horns of over two dozen bikes under the jurisdiction of the Navghar police in Bhayandar (East).

“While stern action is being taken against noisy bikers, shopkeepers and mechanics, who facilitate the illegal accessories and make modifications are also under the scanner,” said Kulkarni.

Apart from noisy horns, boosters are fitted on to a motorcycles’ silencer to create bike racing-like sound, it is learnt.

While a modified silencer does not have a filter to stop excessive noise, their prices differ according to the metal of the outer cast.

“We are also keeping a close watch on bikers notorious for performing deadly stunts and late night high-speed races on the city streets,” said Ram Bhalsingh, the senior inspector.

Any modification of a factory model sans RTO permission is illegal under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Shrill horns, illegal modified silencers removed in Bhayandar.