The District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills has issued an order under Section 144 of the CrPC to clamp down on noise-making vehicles in the district.
The order was issued on November 13 but shared with the media only today.
Police have recently been on a mission of their own to reduce excessive noise, specifically targeting vehicles that have illegally modified their exhaust pipes.
The District Magistrate’s order noted that the state’s Transport Department has already banned the use of pressure horns, altered silencers and other devices “beyond the permissible limit” as these have the potential to cause “deleterious effects on human health and psychological well being of the public.”
In her Section 144 order, use of high density air horns have been prohibited as well as the “sale of public audio systems without sound limiters” and honking of horns in so-called silence zones, ie 100 metres around hospitals, educational institutions, courts and religious places.
Use of horns in residential areas between 10pm and 6am is also banned unless during a “public emergency”. She also banned the “continuous” honking of garbage collection vehicles, which is an all too common sight (or rather sound) in the state capital.
The District Magistrate also ordered vendors and workshops selling and/or fitting modified exhaust pipes to cease immediately or be liable for punishment.
