Mumbai: Residents near JJ Hospital to kick-start anti-honking campaign

Residents staying in the vicinity of JJ Hospital have decided to get on the road to ask motorists to go easy on honking along with anti-noise pollution activist Sumaira Abdulali.

On Monday, several residents from the area will stand from 2.30pm at the JJ Hospital junction with messages for the motorists to avoid using horn without any reason. Some locals of Mahim, too, will be joining them to show support as recently even they had a similar activity in their area.

"We all know that the area around JJ hospital is a silence zone yet it is one of the most noisiest. We have recorded noise levels upto 105dB here, which is a major concern. Hence when some local residents planned to create awareness amongst motorists and approached me to be part of the drive I agreed," informed Sumaira Abdulali, founder of Awaaz Foundation that has been spearheading anti-noise pollution crusades in the city.

Abdulali, who has been running a campaign Tell The Driver encouraging people to ask motorists not to honk, said that more and more people should inculcate the habit of requesting anyone honking unnecessarily to stop. "Noise pollution affects everyone and hence its a fight that has to be taken up by citizens. Its a very good move by residents of Mahim as well as JJ area that they have come forward to start this movement," she said.

Salim Shaikh, a local resident and a mediaperson, said that people were tired of the incessant honking. "The JJ Hospital junction is the most noisiest junction across the city and local residents are trying to come along and request motorist to avoid honking as it affects everybody including themselves. We are also trying to involve senior officials from Mumbai traffic police," he said.