There are several different types of pollution. The main ones are of course air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution. There are laws in place to protect the general public against these types of pollution. Of the three the one that is least controlled is probably noise pollution. Of course there is a law against playing loud music and against playing music after a certain deadline. The law-enforcing agency promptly swoops upon those who play loud music after the stipulated time limit. But then no one seems bothered about the noise pollution that is prevailing on the roads. There is deafening sound of incessant honking by vehicle driver on the roads.
According to the transport department the main culprit for the noise pollution are the heavy vehicles which include buses and goods vehicles which use pressure horns and multi-tone horns. But now all this noise could well be a thing of the past if proper steps are taken by the authorities concerned. It is understood that following a directive from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will reportedly soon issue a directive to the transport department asking to crack down on buses and trucks that have installed illegal pressure horns or multi-tone horns.
It must be said that some modified two wheeler owners have also installed multi-tone horns on their modified bikes. There are sign boards near hospitals, schools and places of worship where honking is not allowed. But the road-users do not seem to heed to these road-signs as they honk incessantly even at prohibited areas. It is high time the authorities concerned start penalizing the offenders for honking at places designated as “No Honking” zones. As of now it does not seem that this step is being taken.
Under Section 119(2) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 use of multi-toned horns that produce unduly harsh, shrill loud or alarming noise are banned within a 100 meter radius around schools, hospitals and residential and commercial areas. Using pressure horns is also an offence under Section 190 (2) of Motor Vehicles Act (1988). Besides causing disturbance, the use of pressure horns can cause damage to the ears as also cause an increase in the blood pressure. Hence using pressure/multi-tone horns are definitely detrimental to the health of the citizens and should be totally banned. As per statistics there are over 11,000 buses and more than 59,000 goods vehicles registered in the state. Even if a small percentage of these buses and goods vehicles have installed such horns which make a deafening noise, then there will definitely be a lot of noise pollution on our roads. Hence necessary instructions should be given to the vehicle owners to dismantle such horns and even if then instructions are not adhered to the owners of such vehicles should be penalized.
