Bangladesh could have horn-free roads in the future if noise laws are properly enforced, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting, and Water Resources.
She made the remark at a public program in Mazar Chattar, Dhaka, aimed at raising awareness against unnecessary honking.
The event was organised jointly by the Department of Environment (DoE), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
The adviser said the Noise Pollution Control Rules cover all sources of noise, but the current initiative focuses on controlling horn use.
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She added that police have now been given the authority to fine offenders directly.
“This has not happened in Bangladesh before,” she said, expressing hope that people’s habits will gradually change.
The adviser instructed the police to prepare a six-month action plan to implement horn-free zones effectively.
She also thanked officials of the DoE, DMP, BRTA, and DSCC for their cooperation.
Other speakers at the program included Md Sarwar, Additional Police Commissioner of DMP; Md Mahmudul Hasan, Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation; Md Anisur Rahman, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic); and Farid Ahmed, Project Director of the Noise Pollution Control Project.