Action against vehiclular pollution needs to be consistent

Mumbai Traffic Police destroyed modified silencers/ X

The Mumbai traffic police took action against 5,445 vehicles and seized 584 motorcycle silencers that had been modified for enhanced sound during a special drive recently to curb air and noise pollution.

These seized silencers, which also cause air pollution due to emission of gases from the exhaust without filters, were crushed by a bulldozer in the presence Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Praveen Padwal and other senior officials. There were over 700 vehicles wherein such silencers were installed. Fines were imposed by generating e-challans. While 20,946 vehicles were pulled up all through the year for not having pollution under control (PUC) certificates, a total of 5,866 cases were made just between November 7 and 15, an official stated.

Action against noise and air pollution by vehicles needs to be consistent and the fines need to bite hard enough to be both a lesson and a deterrent for the future.

While air pollution is the focus now, what with deteriorating quality, vehicles play a significant part given that Mumbai is primarily a commuting city. Vehicle owners must get the mandatory checks done. We can consider an awareness drive about Pollution Under Control checks. We see hoardings and signs about speeding dangers, and driving under the influence, inviting strict action. We should see awareness about vehicles and pollution, too.

Noise pollution is also a no-no. Those who remove these silencers, imbuing their machines with machismo as they roar through the streets, are indulging in illegal actions. Crushing these silencers with a bulldozer was symbolically strong. It shows a no-nonsense approach against this immaturity. Noise pollution has significant adverse effects on mental health.