Horns continue to blare near hospitals, schools
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, September 15
Nearly a month after the government declared several areas around hospitals and schools in Srinagar as the no-noise zones, the norms are not being implemented in the city.
While the motorists are not aware about the norms for silence zones, there are no visible no-honking signboards in the city, rendering the government directive redundant.
“I am not aware about any such order,” said an SUV driver, Naseer Ahmed. “I don’t think there has been any awareness campaign on the part of the government on the issue. If the government is serious, there should be big no-noise signboards in these areas. The drivers have to be educated against unnecessary honking on the roads.”
The areas which have been declared as no-noise zones are GB Panth Hospital, Sonawar, to Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, crossing, all hospitals and educational institutions falling within the limits of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation and premises around the High Court, Srinagar, and the Lower Court, Moominabad, Batamaloo. While issuing the order, the Divisional Commissioner had directed the traffic police to strictly deal with the persons who will blow horns and take action under the relevant law.
The Traffic Department said it was difficult to enforce the direction in the past month as people were not aware that honking was banned around schools and hospitals.
“There has to be a massive awareness drive on the issue first. We have been holding a campaign on the issue and will start enforcing it,” the official said.
The incessant blaring of horns causes serious hardship to patients in the hospitals and students in the school. Noise pollution mostly affects the elderly people, children and pregnant women.
What makes the problem worse is the fact that many city schools and hospitals are located in major markets. During peak hours, these areas witness traffic jams and honking is frequent here.
“Honking is creating noise pollution around hospitals, resulting into inconvenience and irritation to the patients,” said a senior doctor at Kashmir’s premier maternity hospital LD Hospital here.
