The Gazipur district administration has launched a 12-week campaign to curb noise pollution, beginning with a ban on unnecessary horn use by government vehicles.
Under the initiative, drivers of government vehicles will be allowed to sound horns only in emergencies. Awareness campaigns and enforcement measures will later be expanded to public transport, motorcycles, CNG-powered auto-rickshaws and other vehicles across the district.
The decision was taken at a consultation meeting at the Bhawal Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan chaired the meeting, attended by senior officials from different government departments, representatives of various organisations and journalists.
Noise pollution posed a serious threat to public health and a safe living environment, the deputy commissioner said, seeking cooperation from all relevant institutions in implementing the action plan.
He said he had personally tested whether a vehicle could be driven safely without unnecessary horn use and found that it was possible. Officials attending the meeting unanimously agreed to prevent unnecessary honking by vehicles under their respective offices.
Gazipur has around 2,000 government vehicles, and responsible use of horns by those vehicles could encourage broader behavioural change among the public, the deputy commissioner said. Guidelines specifying when and how horns may be used during emergencies will soon be circulated among government offices.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Shahriar Nazir moderated the meeting, where a multimedia presentation and video highlighted the health effects of noise pollution, existing laws and possible preventive measures.
The administration also outlined its short and long-term plans for reducing noise pollution across the district. Under the 12-week action plan, “Silent Driving” stickers will be placed on government vehicles and written commitments will be obtained from government drivers.
The programme also includes establishing effective silent zones around hospitals and educational institutions, and raising awareness among industrial establishments and public transport operators.
A “Smart Rider” programme will be introduced for motorcyclists, while unauthorised high-decibel horns will be removed from motorcycles, CNG-powered auto-rickshaws and other vehicles.
Regular mobile court drives will also be conducted to enforce noise-control regulations. Following the meeting, officials from government and semi-government organisations joined an awareness campaign on major roads and highways in the city.
Drivers of buses, Lagunas, CNG-powered auto-rickshaws and other three-wheelers were urged to avoid unnecessary honking.
The district administration said excessive horn use had pushed noise pollution in urban areas to alarming levels, affecting students, patients, older people and the wider public both physically and psychologically.
According to the World Health Organization, prolonged exposure to noise levels above 70 decibels can cause permanent hearing damage. Excessive noise may also contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, insomnia and psychological stress, as well as disrupting children’s normal development.
