Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued a warning against the use of pressure horns to all the drivers and owners of motor vehicles in the state.
As per the provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the users of multi-tone pressure horns can be punished with fine and punishment with imprisonment upto six years, said PPCB chairman KS Pannu.
Multi-tone musical pressure horns on motor vehicles are a major source of noise pollution in the State. PPCB has been spearheading a campaign for the removal of such pressure horns.
PPCB, in September 2017, had banned the manufacturing, sale, installation and use of multi-tone musical pressure horns on motor vehicle in the state of Punjab exercising the powers under Air Act, 1981.
Periodical checking of multi-tone horns by teams consisting of PPCB officers and Traffic Police officers have yielded good results, but the problem still persists, pointed the PPCB spokesperson.
Under the motor Vehicle Act, the use of such pressure horns attract the challan by traffic police.
Pannu stated that these pressure horns produces noise even above 100 decibels against the prescribed limit of 55 decibels, thus affecting the people adversely especially women, children and elderly.
The Board has taken it very seriously and has been checking vehicles on regular intervals to put an end to this menace, he said.
He stated that the Board has given a mobile no 98789-50593 on which any person noticing blowing of pressure horns by vehicles can complain by way of sending the photographs of erring vehicles or by texting registration number of such vehicle or simply by calling the given number.
Strict action shall be taken against the violators, said Pannu while appealing to the owners and drivers of motor vehicles to immediately remove the pressure horns and do not play with the health of general public.