Mumbai Traffic Police's anti-noise campaign seems to have been long forgotten by the department itself, but the state transport department on Thursday issued a circular asking all vehicle owners in Maharashtra to remove "Horn Okay Please" message from their vehicles.
Mumbai Traffic Police's anti-noise campaign seems to have been long forgotten by the department itself, but the state transport department on Thursday issued a circular asking all vehicle owners in Maharashtra to remove "Horn Okay Please" message from their vehicles.
The circular states, "There has been specific instruction that especially on trucks, buses, etc there is a message on the rear end — Horn Okay Please."
"If advertisement of liqour and tobacco can be banned why promote honking?" questioned Mahesh Zagade, transport commissioner, "People should not be reminded to honk, it is not a good practice."
A typical indian transport truck with 'Horn OK Please' hand painted on its rear (image source - flickr.com Indian Street Graphics by Meanest Indian)
A statewide campaign will be undertaken through regional transport offices and its staff to further spread the message of removing the 'Horn Okay Please' tag from each and every vehicle. There will not be any penalty levied for sporting the message, but drivers and owners will be asked to permanently remove it.
"Even globally honking is unacceptable and never ever promoted. Thus, we should also work towards ensuring there is less noise on roads," said Zagade.
Anti-noise activists welcomed the move, commenting that it is a step in the right direction, to have a relatively silent environment, not only for residents living next to roads but also for motorists.
No Honking Day campaign was initiated by the Mumbai Traffic's then deputy commissioner of police Harish Baijal back in 2008 and April 7 is supposed to be 'No Honking Day'. But for the last few years, no active campaign or measures are being taken to observe this day or to penalise noise polluters.
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan too was roped in then to become brand ambassador of the 'No Honking Day' drive, but now it has completely lost steam.
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