A vehicle of the environment ministry has faced punitive action for honking near the Secretariat, one of the designated silent zones in capital Dhaka.
A mobile court has fined the driver by Tk 300 on Tuesday (Dec 24).
“No one will be spared if horns [at no-horn zone]. We penalising vehicles of government officials too,” said Executive Magistrate Kazi Tamzid Ahmed.
“More publicity over the issue is still needed,” he added.
According to the authorities, vehicles labeled with Power Development Board, women and children affairs ministry and Sonali Bank Ltd was fined among the offenders. The mobile court has collected a total of Tk 3,700 after fining 14 vehicle drivers for horning at the area during the drive on Tuesday.
The environment ministry declared the Secretariat area, which includes Zero Point, Paltan intersection and Secretariat Link Road as a ‘no-horn zone’ on Dec 15. The restriction to horn came into effect on Dec 17.
According to the laws, 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.