Mumbai: Nearly 2,000 people fined for honking

Traffic Department personnel make people aware of No Honking Day on Wednesday

The first of two no-honking days to be observed this month ended with a number of violators being fined by the Mumbai traffic police. At least 1,965 motorists and bikers were fined for honking while 152 bikers were also fined for not using silencers on Wednesday.

The Mumbai traffic police observed a No Honking Day on Wednesday with little cooperation from the citizens. The cops collected around Rs 20 lakh for honking from motorists and bikers, and R1.5 lakh only from bikers for noisy silencers. Most of the fines were collected from Chembur, Ghatkopar and Dadar, police said.

A high-ranking police officer stationed at Bhoiwada traffic police station told mid-day, "The next No Honking Day is scheduled for August 16. These days are being observed to raise awareness about noise pollution. We have fined a number of people today, all of them keep saying they didn't honk. Some tried to flee the scene."

The Traffic Department had also put up hoardings to make people aware of the day

"Unnecessary honking causes noise pollution in the environment and also adversely affects human health, Mumbai Traffic Control Branch has decided to observe a No Honking Day on August 9 and 16," the MTP had said in its statement issued some days back.

According to Joint CP Pravin Padwal, "The initiative was held because many people honk unnecessarily. Many citizens, especially senior citizens, face a lot of issues due to constant honking. This initiative is to raise awareness about honking when it's absolutely necessary."

When this reporter asked Joint CP Padwal whether people co-operated, he said, "I had to convince even my driver not to honk much. Some people are co-operative, but those who honk continuously will take time to be convinced. Action will be taken against violators under section 149 (F) section of the Motor Vehicle Act. I urge people to abide by the law and not honk unnecessarily."

Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of Awaaz Foundation, said, "The No Honking Day is a great initiative to curb unnecessary honking, but it needs to be more frequent." Violators caught for honking the first time were imposed a fine of R1,000, and for the second time, R2,000. For not using silencers, violators were imposed a fine of Rs 1,000.

1,965
No of motorists and bikers fined for honking

152
No of bikers also fined for not using silencers