According to a release made by the Central pollution Control Board, ‘noise is defined as unwanted sound. Sound, which pleases the listeners, is music and that which causes pain and annoyance is noise. At times, what is music for some can be noise for others.’
In a city where we take pride in our loud speakers and high decibel music systems, noise pollution now finds another source in the incessant honking that is growing unchecked by the day.
Section 2 (a) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 includes noise in their definition of ‘air pollutants’. Section 2(a) air pollution states that any solid, liquid or gaseous substance including noise present in the atmosphere such concentration as may be or tend to be injurious to human beings or other living creatures or plants or property or environment.
These are the worst thing to happen to mankind, thinks Sapna Acharya, a tutor. “Even worse is when some senseless people have control over them.
I have seen people honking while following an ambulance. I don’t know what their intention is but don’t you think that it can disturb the patient even more?
Moreover, silence zones or ‘no horn zones’ are the places where such trouble makers choose to use a horn and loud ones most often. Obviously they don’t believe that these no horn zones are identified for a reason ”she quips.
“Awareness and education is the key here,” suggests Monika Pradhan, an informed citizen. “Not everybody is educated enough to go through the rules and then abide by them.
The message should be made so evident that it gets into their brain easily. Sign boards and advertisements help, but effective education at schools through seminars and awareness programs are needed.
This will ensure the future generation of drivers are in the know of traffic rules and follow. They need to understand how violations can affect the entire environment negatively,” he adds.
Lakshya, a 28 year old engineer and biking enthusiast says, that traffic rules are flouted every day and the authorities who have nothing but to make sure that these rules are followed indulge in all kinds of activities but doing their work. “It is the citizens and the authorities that have to be vigilant enough toward the environment and the society.
We cannot just play the blame game all the time. We should know when to and when not to honk,” Lakshya adds.
“I think, when it comes to money, people control their habits and abide by rules, even if it is by force,” says Harmeet Singh, 25.
“The fine levied should be high so that people dread about even using the horns at any point of the day.
Moreover, if the administration and the police forces work in a non-corrupt way and dedicatedly use their power to curb this increasing menace, a horn free city is not a distant dream.
Also, the people honking rigorously at traffic signals should be held and counselled about traffic rules,” adds Singh.
Restrictions on the use of horns, sound emitting construction equipments and bursting of fire crackers:-
(1) No horn shall be used in silence zones or during night time in residential areas except during a public emergency.
(2) Sound emitting fire crackers shall not be burst in silence zone or during night time.
(3) Sound emitting construction equipments shall not be used or operated during night time in residential areas and silence zones.
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#All views are those of the respondents and Pune365 doesn’t necessarily subscribe to them.
Reach her at loveleen@pune365.com or tweet @KaurKaur18
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