Doctors say that due to noise pollution, many people are developing auditory complications. Currently, 35 percent of people in Dhaka experience decreased hearing ability.
As per noise pollution guideline 2006, the sound level in quiet areas during the day will be 50 decibels and 40 decibels at night; at residential areas, 55 decibel during day and 45 at night, mixed areas: 60 during day and 50 at night while at commercial areas, 75 during day and 70 at night.
The first time punishment for noise pollution is one month imprisonment or Tk. 5000 fine of both, for following offences, six months imprisonment at the most or a fine of Tk. 10000 or both.
In the city, motorbikes plus cars constantly change lanes and to do that they press the horn. Even though movement in jam is slow, the tendency to honk is ubiquitous.
A driver says: “I press the horn to get right of way, otherwise, no one wants to move. Rickshaws and CNGs move lanes fast and without any warning, so we need to press the horn to alert them.”
A motorcycle rider adds: “This has become a habit and since we try to use all openings possible to move ahead, there is no alternative to using the horn.”
Mominur Rahman Royal, an anti-honking campaigner observes: “there is a sort of restlessness among the drivers, they want the car in front to give them the way and to get that advantage press the horn.”
Royal stands at intersections with a placard carrying the slogan: “Only stupid people honk without reason.”
Former DG of Department of Environment and environment group leader, Engineer Md Abdus Sobhan, says: “There is no concrete step to bring down the noise level; in addition, the people are not aware of the evils of noise pollution.”
The law enforcers need to be active on the matter and RAJUK should mark each area with the permissible noise level.
Head of Ear, Nose and Throat, ENT of Mitford Hospital, Monilal Aich Litu says: “If this continues then by 2025, one-third of the people will suffer from ailments. So much noise even makes people violent.”