In an effort to control noise pollution, indiscriminate honking has been banned in Pokhara. Pokhara has become the country’s second city to enforce “No Horn” regulation after Kathmandu valley.
Kathmandu Valley was declared as “No Horn Zone” in April 2017 to reduce noise pollution, especially during traffic jams.
Indiscriminate honking has been banned in Pokhara, the tourist city, from Sunday, a move welcomed by its residents.The ban was imposed with the joint initiative of the metropolis and the District Traffic Police Office, Kaski, to curb increasing noise pollution and cases of road accidents in the city. According to the traffic office, more than 200,000 vehicles ply the roads of the metropolitan city on a daily basis.
Motorists were seen going to their destinations without honking their horns even when they were stuck in traffic jams on Sunday.
Chief of the Kaski Traffic Police, Bishwo Raj Adhikari said most motorists showed their cooperation by refraining to honk their horns on the first day the regulation came into effect.
Those who were unaware of the new regulation were informed by traffic officers.
Adhikari said, “We are encouraged by cooperation shown by the motorists. They are helping to keep the level of noise pollution down.” He further said they would launch an awareness and publicity campaign in the first 15 days and they would take stern action against those who did not comply with the new traffic rule.
The city’s traffic authority has stationed its officers at various places to make motorists aware of the new traffic regulation. The awareness drive will continue for a week.
“We don’t think there will come a situation where we will have to fine someone for defiance since there is a wide consensus among locals and motorists that the no-horn regulation within the city limits is a good thing. Pokhara shall soon become a horn-free zone,” Adhikari said.
The rules will not be applicable to fire trucks, security personnel, ambulances, and hearses.
Doctors say that the long-term exposure to pressure horns causes stress, blood pressure, aggression, and hypertension and could lead to permanent hearing impairment.
Reference: Kathmandu Post