Chennai: In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, the Supreme Court banned the use of pressure horns, multiple sound emitting horns and musical horns in vehicles.
The ruling came close to the culmination of a campaign spearheaded by TAFE and the traffic police on Wednesday, called, ‘Voice against noise’ . The fortnight-long campaign was unique in its approach, choice of issue and involvement of college students.
The largest tractor manufacturing company in the world, TAFE listed out various measures that they have put in place in their own factories to contain noise.
The campaign, involving poster-making contests had around 250 students and 100 TAFE employees distributing pamphlets on indiscriminate honking of motorists. Social media was used in a big way to give momentum to the campaign.
The organisers say, “The idea was to raise voice through creative means and the students participated enthusiastically in the event.”
Joint commisssioner of police, traffic, A. Arun, who was at the event, said, “Traffic police themselves are at risk due to their presence on the field due to air and noise pollution. A traffic policeman spends nearly eight hours standing (at various signals) leading to respiratory problems and other health issues.”
Surya K, a Loyola college student who was part of the campaign, said, “ Many of my friends who used such horns have given them up after the campaign.”
