HONKING? NOT OKAY, PLEASE!

Picture Courtesy: Adobe

We have attuned our ears to the sounds of incessant vehicular honking and have over the years grown so accustomed to noise pollution at large that we have ceased to care about the damaging health implications it poses for us in the long run. 

Even though by law, unwanted honking is restricted under Motor vehicle Act 1989 US134(1) yet our honking habits have remain unchanged! In fact, Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways recently proposed that a new law would soon be passed where in the sounds of Indian musical instruments like flute, tabla, violin, harmonium etc. would replace the sounds of existing vehicle horns in a bid to curtail noise pollution. 'Sounds' like a good idea indeed!

Picture Courtesy: Drivekool

Just like many of us, Mr. Paresh Ravasa, a Chartered Accountant by profession and resident of Ghatkopar-East too faces a similar predicament of noise pollution and peaking decibel levels resulting out of constant vehicular honking as his building is located right at the heart of the traffic junction. For a man who has to deal with this menace on a daily basis, he along with the residents of his building have decided to observe "No Honking Day", an area-centric social experiment in suburban Mumbai. For this initiative, he has roped in people from different walks of life comprising of Corporator, ex-MLA, ex-Central Minister, politicians, senior doctors, local digital media, members of Jain social media group etc. to be a part of this campaign. To know more and how you can be a part of it, you can connect with him at - pareshravasa@gmail.com

Picture Courtesy: Hindustan Times

When asked on what measures/ actions the government must undertake to put an  end to noisy honking, Mr. Ravasa suggests that government must direct car manufacturers to remodel their honking mechanism in such a way that the horn of a car would only be activated once it crosses the speed limit of 30kmph. He further adds that vehicular horns should be engineered in such a way that it is connected to the parts of a vehicle (for example the tyres) which when used in excess would lead to loosening of the part/ tyre. In addition, education at school/ college level must focus on training students to observe good road etiquettes and instill sensible driving manners besides strict tests must be conducted at the time of issuing driving license and hefty fines to the tune of Rs. 5000 must be imposed on those flouting honking rules. He also adds that the Supreme Court of India must step in to limit the noise level of horns while all vehicles in India must carry the signage of "No Horn Please". Further, he points out that in South Korea people are rewarded if they captured law breakers on camera and hopes that his suggestions are soon implemented in India as well. Point noted!

Picture Courtesy: Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Let us also do our bit for the society and more importantly for ourselves as we take a pledge today that we would discipline ourselves by not honking indiscriminately at vehicles, traffic signals, pedestrians etc. 

For starters, we too could keep our hands off our vehicular horns for a day to experience the benefits of a peaceful neighborhood and observe the calming effect it has on our mind, heart and body... perhaps, this initiative would inspire people at large and resonate a movement in other areas and localities as well. 

Did you like my post? Do share your thoughts in the comments section of this post. Thank you very much for your time.

Regards,

Sonaal

Note: We at I-Assess do not endorse nor support any monetary contributions/ funding that may be asked towards this campaign. Readers are requested to exercise their own discretion in this regard.