'No Honking Mondays' drive extended to Central Bangalore

‘No Honking Mondays,’ a campaign which was launched in Koramangala in Bangalore South a few months ago, saw a significant 4.5 per cent reduction in the total noise levels.

In an attempt to replicate the drive and reduce the noise levels in Central Bangalore, the campaign was launched at the MG Road-Brigade Road Junction on Monday.

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairman Vaman Acharya said that there was already a ban on using loud horns.

Now, the focus is to reduce the noise levels and to educate the motorists. 

“No Honking Mondays doesn’t mean that you can honk on other days. Since Monday is the first working day and usually there is more traffic on the road, we have chosen it to begin the campaign,” he said.

In the next six months, volunteers will be deployed at various traffic junctions including MG Road-Brigade Road, Residency Road, Richmond Road and Cubbon Road.

 They will educate the motorists at traffic signals about the harmful effects of unnecessary honking and how one can curb noise pollution, before pasting a sticker on their vehicles.There are decibel meters linked to an LED display system installed at signals, which shows the decibel levels recorded.

India is known to have the highest levels of honking in traffic, said Samar Vikram Bhasin, CEO of Pratham Motors, who are the campaign partners. 

“Manufacturers are obliging customers who demand louder horns for Indian roads,” he added.

As per KSPCB standards, the horn sound level is 90-95 dB (decibels) in commercial areas and 55 dB in residential areas.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M A Saleem and MLA N A Haris participated in the event.