'No Honking Day' in Mumbai today

Mumbai, Apr 7 : As World Health Day is being observed today, the traffic department of the Mumbai Police has decided to observe a "No Honking Day".

For this health initiative, the city police have roped in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), automobile associations, as well as schools and colleges to educate over 1.5 million motorists about the campaign. Anyone found violating the cause by using the horn unnecessarily will be prosecuted by the police, as stickers and banners have been put up on public transport vehicles.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Harish Baijal told that the focus would be on creating awareness among the people through the campaign.

He said: "Lowering the decibel levels is not the priority, we have to educate people and still if they persist with honking, punitive action will be taken. Hoardings, banners, posters and stickers carrying information about the campaign have been put across the city, in advance, so that majority of the motorists abstain from honking on that day." "To promote the message we have also tied up with radio stations", he added.

Since January this year, the police have taken action against 1,920 motorists for using unauthorised horns like pressure, musical and reverse horns, honking in silence zones around hospitals and courts and for unnecessary honking.

As noise pollution has an impact on the health, the cops have also issued a note encouraging people to report cases of unnecessary honking. The reported cases will be penalised at their residences.

In Delhi, the traffic police had started a similar initiative in 2002 to spread awareness about the noise pollution caused by honking and no-honking signs were put up at all intersections.

According to the law, honking unnecessarily at intersections, use of pressure horns, using horns in silence zones like hospitals, educational institutions and vehicles with non-functional silencers is all liable for prosecution. The fine for the offences ranges between Rs 1000 and Rs 600.

ANI