Fighting noise pollution: Hyd traffic police remove banned horns from 3,300 vehicles

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad traffic police intercepted more than 3,300 vehicles and removed banned air horns and multi-toned horns as part of its special drive against noise pollution in the city.

Apart from removing prohibited/banned devices, the city traffic police also imposed a fine of Rs. 1,000 under section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act. Further, from 1 June 2022, charge sheets will be filed against erring drivers as well as the owner of the vehicle.

The traffic police launched their special drive on 10 May against noise pollution caused by vehicles using prohibited/banned air horns, pressure horns, and multi-toned horns.

"We have given more than one month's notice to all vehicle owners asking them to remove the airhorns. Now, we will take strict action against anyone caught using them. The horns will also be removed and seized immediately. We are using a sound level meter (SLM) and we found that all air horns sound more than 110 decibels. The sound limit for horns is 80 decibels," Hyderabad joint traffic commissioner A.V Ranganath said.

What does the law say?

Rule 119 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) 1989 asserts that "No motor vehicle shall be fitted with any multi-toned horn giving a succession of different notes or with any other sound-producing device giving an unduly horn, shrill, loud or alarming noise." The use of sirens is also prevented as per the rule other than by the police, fire, transport, ambulance, disaster management vehicles, etc.

In February, the Telangana High Court had directed the police to remove prohibited multi-toned horns, sirens, and hooters and to take appropriate action in accordance with the law against violators.

Additionally, Section 52 bars alteration in motor vehicles from those originally specified by the manufacturer.

Further, Rule 119 of CMVR 1989 postulates that "Every motor vehicle shall be fitted with electric horn" only. Sec 52 of the Indian Motor Vehicles Act 1988 bars alteration in motor vehicles with those originally specified by the manufacturer, and whoever violates prescribed standards in relation to the noise pollution will be punished under section 190(2) of the MV Act 1988.