Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) destroyed around 10,000 hydraulic horns in the city’s Minto Road on Wednesday.Traffic police of DMP had seized the illegal hydraulic horns conducting drives in the city streets over the last one year as part of its initiative to reduce noise pollution in the capital.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), generally 60 dB (decibels, a measure of volume) can make a man deaf temporarily and 100 dB sounds can cause complete deafness. The noise of any busy street in Dhaka has been estimated at 60 to 80 dB, with the sound of hydraulic horns measuring 95 dB.
The seized hydraulic horns were destroyed in Minto Road in presence of DMP Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia on Wednesday.
Briefing reporters at DMP Media Centre on the steps taken to mitigate sound pollution and stop the use of hydraulic horns in the city, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said the DMP has taken various steps to stop the use of these horns ensuring enforcement of strict laws.
He said initiatives have already been taken to amend Section 139 of Motor Vehicle Act, to increase the punishment for using hydraulic horns.
Initiatives have also been taken to conduct mobile courts against sellers of hydraulic horns, as well as against workshops to stop its illegal sales and installation, said the DMP commissioner.
The DMP commissioner requested Bangladesh Road and Transport Authority to ensure hydraulic horns are eradicated from the country by taking steps before issuing fitness certificates to vehicles.
He requested all to refrain from using hydraulic horns in deference to law and order.
