The amended rules will apply to all vehicles run on petrol, CNG, LPG, electric, diesel and hybrid, including agricultural and construction vehicles, as well as e-rickshaws and e-carts.
All automobile manufacturers will have to furnish vehicle emission and noise level details of their vehicles from April 1 next year, the government announced Tuesday as concerns mount over the impact of indiscriminate honking and vehicular pollution levels.
Vehicle manufacturers will have to compulsorily state the sound level for horn and pass-by noise values in the Form 22, the amended version of which will also include the brand, chassis number, engine number and emission norms of a vehicle,
The ministry of road, transport and highways said in a statement that Form 22, under the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, had been amended. Unlike the earlier Form 22, which merely certified that the vehicle complied with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and rules, including the relevant emission norms, the revised form will also seek the emission and noise level details of each vehicle.
The amended rules will apply to all vehicles run on petrol, CNG, LPG, electric, diesel and hybrid, including agricultural and construction vehicles, as well as e-rickshaws and e-carts.
"This is bound to act as a selling point for vehicles since more people are likely to buy those adhering to the specified emission norms and standard noise levels," a senior official from the ministry said.
Welcoming the move, environmental activist Sumaira Abdulali, said giving information on noise and emission in a government document will not only make such details more accessible to the public but also create more awareness among buyers about vehicles.
"However, different bodies such as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have different set standards for noise. These standards should be brought in line to the lowest decibel level; there is also a Bombay High Court order upholding this," Abdulali, who is convenor of the Mumbai-based Awaaz Foundation that works against noise pollution, added.
Ideally, the sound level of the horn should be 10 decibels more than the standard noise of the vehicle that includes the engine and exhaust sound, she said.
Delhi govt strengthens drive against imported firecrackers
The Delhi government on Tuesday resolved to strengthen its drive against imported firecrackers ahead of Diwali, ordering inspection teams formed in this regard to check markets and godowns more frequently. In a review meeting attended by senior officials of DPCC, Police, SDMs and Deputy Commissioners among others, Environment Minister Imran Hussain directed that strict action be taken against those found violating the norms. "The 11-district-wise inspecting teams of area SDMs and Executive Engineers (DPCC) constituted to check availability of imported firecrackers in the market should enhance their field inspections. The team(s) of officers from Licensing Unit constituted to check godowns randomly for availability of imported firecrackers in the market should augment their vigilance and field visits," an official statement said.
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