With an aim to curb the noise pollution in the national Capital, A committee set up by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to monitor compliance of noise rules in Delhi has on Thursday urged the city Government to follow a zero-tolerance policy against unnecessary honking and the use of modified silencers.
In a report submitted to the green court, the panel said the incessant traffic noise, relentless honking, pressure horns and modified silencers are a major contributors to noise pollution.
"Alternative measures such as planting of trees, awareness with respect to no-honking, quieter vehicles, quieter tires, speed reduction, home insulation, smooth road surface etc., could be adhered to reduce vehicular noise. The better option is to increase awareness just like in case of firecrackers and to increase prosecution.
"A zero-tolerance policy should be followed in case of unnecessary honking and use of modified silencers," the report read.
The panel told the court that the Delhi Traffic Police issued 331 challans against the use of pressure horns, 30 against honking in silent zones, 773 against modified exhausts/silencers and 59 for playing loud music in vehicles between January 1 to March 31.
The committee has also asked sub-divisional magistrate, Hauz Khas, the nodal officer to monitor compliance of noise rules in Delhi, to prepare and put up a proposal to prevent illegal sale of modified silencers and pressure horns in markets.
To prevent noise pollution due to amplifiers and loudspeakers at religious places, the panel suggested that local bodies and station house officers conduct regular meetings with office-bearers of religious institutions for "self-regulation of noise instruments".