How to Ensure a Noise Free Maharashtra

September 2, 2014

The hustle and bustle in the streets of a city is common in most parts of the world. People travel to the cities for work which increases the population and the use of motor vehicles in urban areas. Apart from air pollution, these motor vehicles cause noise pollution in the form of horns and sirens. Noise pollution is as undesirable as any other pollution and causes acute and chronic health impacts, apart from discomfort for residents in nearby buildings and neighbourhoods. The story is not any different in the City of Mumbai. With heavy traffic during most parts of the day and late evenings, the level of noise pollution is on a rise and in sensitive areas like schools and hospitals it is most disturbing.

The Government of Maharashtra, taking note of the Order of the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, Western Zone Bench, Pune, has established “Standards for Horns, Siren and / or Multi toned horns for the vehicles plying in the State of Maharashtra and their use”. Ultimately this is for the welfare of the people and ecologically fragile areas.

These Standards include the exact location of the horn in the vehicle and banning of sirens for private motor vehicles. Sirens can only be used for police vans, ambulances and fire brigade vehicles, but only during emergencies.  The Standards also stress on the importance of silent zones. Proper implementation of these Standards will ensure that Maharashtra becomes a noise pollution free State.

The Notification dated 31st July, 2014 and entitled “Standards for Horns, Siren and / or Multi toned horns for the vehicles plying in the State of Maharashtra and their use” is given below:

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