The government has taken an initiative to declare a noise-free zone around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with effect from October 1 this year.

A 1-kilometer area to the north and south of the airport will be designated as a silent zone, where the use of vehicle horns will be prohibited.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced this initiative during a virtual meeting on Tuesday, said a media release signed by Dipankar Bar, senior information officer of the ministry.

She emphasized that the ban on horns is part of a broader effort to reduce noise pollution and promote a quieter environment around the airport. In addition, efforts will be made to eliminate single-use plastics at the airport, with encouragement to adopt alternative materials.

The Adviser noted that a public awareness campaign will be launched through electronic and print media to inform the public about the new regulations. On September 17, the Civil Aviation Authority will finalize plans in a meeting with relevant departments and organizations.

Starting October 1, mobile courts will be operated in coordination with the Department of Environment, BRTA, Civil Aviation Authority, and Traffic Police to enforce the new rules, she said.

The virtual meeting included speeches from various officials, including the Secretary and Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change; the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority; the Director General of the Department of Environment; the Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority; representatives from the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and the Armed Police Battalion.