Bengaluru Transport department: 80 decibels is the noise limit
Bengaluru: Despite many public efforts and several citizen’s initiatives to make the city more peaceful and free of the incessant cacophony of honking horns, the noise pollution continues. Now the state transport department has decided to crack the whip on these noisy horns in vehicles like Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), cars, bikes and commercial vehicles including trucks and buses.
According to the latest order issued by the state transport department, vehicles whose horns are louder than 80 decibels, will penalized. According to the department, this will include the engine sound. State transport commissioner Mr.Ramegowda informed that the decision to fix the horn noise limit was taken following numerous complaints. “There have been a number of complaints about how these high-end horns in private vehicles are adding to the noise pollution in the city. That’s why we have decided to put a cap on the noise a vehicle generates,” he said. “Also, many vehicles were being operated without silencers and old vehicles were also adding to the problem of engine sound,” he said.
Noise test in 282 centres
Mr. Gowda added that the department has directed all the 282 emission testing centers in the city to install equipment to conduct noise pollution tests. "We have asked our officials to direct these emission testing centers to install noise level testing equipment. A piece of noise testing equipment will cost around Rs 8,000. It will help the department to monitor the noise generated by the vehicles,” he said.
Awareness is the key
Mr. Gowda also said that the department was focusing upon creating awareness among the vehicle drivers on the hazards of noise pollution instead of penalizing them. "In the interest of public health there is a need to bring down all types of pollution by vehicles. The city is adding thousands of vehicles to the road every year and the need of the hour is more awareness over bringing down pollution,” he said.