Despite ban, no check on use of pressure horn

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 28

Commercial vehicle operators continue to use pressure horns with impunity here.

It is observed that drivers of private buses and trucks prefer to use the horns as there is little check on its use.

Though the High Court had banned these and the state government later issued a notification in 2003 following the court directions, not much success has been achieved to check these.

The court had strictly directed the government to check such violations and discipline vehicle operators as these led to noise pollution. The court had also observed that the issue of controlling these needed to be handled carefully.

The court had referred the case to a committee of experts for seeking suggestions on the issue. The state government had then issued a notification for implementing Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000. The measure was supposed to check the use of pressure horns.

Despite strict directions, private buses were seen using pressure horns. This has become a cause for concern for those residing along national highways.

“If a vehicle is impounded following pressure horn, it will act as a deterrent but the lack of seriousness in checking the noise pollution by the authorities is leading to its prevalence” said Naresh Kumar, who resides along the National Highway 22.

Inspector General (Railway and Traffic) ZR Zaidi said directions were issued to district police chiefs to nab drivers using pressure horns.