A majority of drivers claim to be unaware of the Secretariat area being declared a ‘no-horn zone’ and continued honking the horns on the first day since the rule came into effect on Tuesday (Dec 17).
On Sunday (Dec 8) the environment ministry declared the Secretariat area, which includes Zero Point, Paltan intersection and Secretariat Link Road as a ‘no-horn zone’ on Sunday (Dec 15).
Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin said, “Violation of the honking restriction in designated quiet zones will lead to a jail term up to one month or Tk 5,000 fine or both for first-time offenders. A similar offence will result in up to six months in jail or Tk 10,000 fine or both.”

Saying that mobile courts will be operated in this regard from Wednesday (Dec 18), the minister said, “Not only Secretariat area, but whole Dhaka city will also be made sound pollution-free.”
However, most of the government vehicles, buses, cars, CNG-run three-wheelers and motorcycles plying around the area have honked at the area and most of the drivers have denied it after law enforcers charged them.

According to police, no offender has been fined as they are being informed about the ‘no-horn zone’ laws by authorities.
A three-wheeler driver Hafizur was charged by traffic police for honking. However, he said, “I didn’t honk. I hadn’t known about the restriction in the area.”
A bus driver, Parvez has confessed to honking the horns but claimed he knew nothing about the law.