CANACONA: In spite of after-market silencers being legally banned; there exists thousands of bikes enthusiasts in Goa who have fitted their two wheelers with modified silencers which make a loud thump. The high intensity sound coming out from this illegal after-market exhaust, apart from adding to the sound pollution are dangerous to the rider himself. A complaint regarding this has been submitted by social activist, Diogo Da’ Silva at the local traffic cell office in Canacona.
Speaking to Herald after submitting the complaint Diogo Da’ Silva who also identifies himself as is an active member of Canacona Health Committee expressed his discontent over the noise pollution caused by the motorbikes. “Section 190(2) of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is crystal clear and says that any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven, in any public place a motor vehicle, which violates the standards prescribed in relation to road safety, control of noise and air-pollution, shall be punishable for the first offence with a fine of five hundred rupees and for any second or subsequent offence with a fine of two thousand rupees” Da’ Silva said.
Frequent drives in the past had kept a check on these aftermarket fitments. With more prominence given to helmetless riding nowadays these illegitimate noise creating devices have escaped the attention of the law enforcement agencies, he said.
Most of the youngsters across Goa opt for after-market silencers on motorbikes especially on Royal Enfield bikes. Whenever these bikes are being used it adds to the noise pollution around. Elderly people are the most affected with the sonic sound created as a result of this modified silencers and with law enforcement agencies not treating this as a serious violation, the bike owners fit these exhausts which cost a couple of thousand bucks and announce their arrival even at the cost of their own safety.
Some years ago, the enforcement agencies had started a drive to penalise those vehicles with modified silencers. However, now with a penalty of Rs 500 for the offence, every second owner of Royal Enfield motorcycle has opted for these off the road silencers.
An automotive engineer speaking to this correspondent said that the motorcycles have long been a symbol of freedom, adventure and pride and many bikers associate a sense of power with their motorbikes. Most motorcycles leave the showroom floor at 80 decibels, which is equal to the normal city traffic, an approved limit for exhaust noise. They are then modified and the mufflers and silencers are replaced to get that characteristic rumbling noise. The sound made by such “modified” bikes is much greater than the approved limit and goes as high as 125 decibels, which is comparable to a thunderclap, this is harmful to everyone around he said.
When this correspondent spoke to the officials at the local traffic cell, they said that those riding bikes with modified fitments are penalised as a standard practice.
