The department has addressed a letter to the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to take action against garage mechanics and bikers who alter bike silencers and shrill horns in Mumbai.
The state environment department has taken serious note of noise pollution by modified silencers and horns of two wheelers.
The department has addressed a letter to the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to take action against garage mechanics and bikers who alter bike silencers and shrill horns in Mumbai.
The department has also asked authorities submit a report of necessary actions taken on the issue. Modification is common among motorists, especially youth who modify silencers and horns of their two-wheelers making them either multiple sound-emitting or musical. For the riders, modified sound is a source attraction but for the residents it’s a nuisance.
According to Environment Protection Rules, the permittable noise levels of two-and three-wheelers is 80 dB and 82 dB for four-wheelers. Although people alter sounds for all types of vehicles, modification of silencers and horns of two-wheelers, especially high-end bikes is common in the city.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Milind Bharambe, said, “I have not yet received a letter from the state environment department calling for action against garages modifying horns and silencers. But when we find motorists exceeding permissible noise levels for horns and silencers, we fine them. We also conduct drives to reduce noise pollution. However, no action is taken against mechanics or specific garages who help bikers alter horns and silencers. However, we will step up our drive to to control noise level.”
Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation said, “Bikers modify their horns to go up to 100 dB, a fad which is gaining popularity. To run vehicles with sound levels above 82 dB is illegal. Police however just fine them. Even though it is against the law, police do not have any specific fine amount to be paid. The motorists pay the fine and continue using the horns,” she said.
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