Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has expressed hope that Bangladesh will one day become horn‑free through strict enforcement of the law.
She said regulations on noise pollution have been formulated and must now be properly implemented.
The adviser made the remarks on Tuesday at a public gathering at the High Court Mazar premises in Dhaka. The programme was organised to raise awareness against the use of vehicle horns, according to a press release.
The event was held as part of a drive by the Department of Environment, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) to discourage horn use in declared silent zones.
Adviser Rizwana said the regulations include provisions to control noise pollution from all sources, beginning with horn‑related noise. Under the regulations, Bangladesh Police have been empowered to take action and impose fines directly.
She also said that police have already begun enforcing penalties under the law, something that had not happened before in Bangladesh. She expressed hope that people’s habits will gradually change.
She directed the police to prepare an action plan as soon as possible for how activities will be carried out over the next six months in the areas declared as silent zones.
The adviser thanked officials of the Department of Environment, DMP, BRTA, and DNCC for their sincere cooperation.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Md Sarwar also addressed the gathering. Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Md Anisur Rahman and Noise Pollution Control Project Director Farid Ahmed were also present.
