A horn-free Dhaka: Public awareness and fines to begin in December, says Adviser Rizwana

The government is set to implement a gradual ban on vehicle honking across Dhaka city by December, with the goal of making the entire capital a "quiet zone" by early next year.

This initiative is part of a larger effort to combat noise pollution, which will later expand to other major cities in Bangladesh, according to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

In an exclusive interview with UNB, Rizwana revealed that steps are already underway, starting with key areas of Dhaka. She emphasised that the government is prioritising public awareness campaigns before enforcing penalties.

She explained that the process would begin with a comprehensive public awareness campaign, followed by strict enforcement of laws against unnecessary honking. 

Starting in December, drivers caught honking without cause will face a Tk500 fine for the first violation, with increased penalties for repeat offences.

"Changing habits will take time, but with proper education and enforcement, we can significantly reduce honking," she said. 

She stressed the importance of educating both drivers and the general public before fines are imposed, underscoring the need for a shift in public behaviour regarding noise pollution.

"Unnecessary honking and loudspeakers are disrupting normal life and contributing to serious health issues," she said, adding that noise pollution is linked to hearing loss, heart disease, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders.

"Now is the time to address noise pollution alongside other forms of environmental degradation if we want to ensure sustainable socio-economic development," Rizwana added.

She called on both drivers and the public to pledge to stop unnecessary honking, adding that restrictions on honking would soon be part of vehicle licence renewal requirements. "We need collective efforts to bring about real change," she said.

As part of this initiative, on Tuesday, the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and its surrounding three-km radius were declared a "quiet zone," where honking is strictly prohibited. 

Violators in this area may face fines or even imprisonment. Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), confirmed that the quiet zone extends from Scholastica school to the Le Meridien Hotel.

This follows a series of measures implemented at the airport to make the area noise-free. The official launch of this quiet zone was overseen by Rizwana Hasan, signalling the government's commitment to addressing noise pollution in the city's most sensitive areas.

Moving forward, the government plans to introduce similar noise reduction initiatives in other major cities. 

Rizwana Hasan called on citizens to support the programme, highlighting the importance of creating a culture that discourages excessive noise for the well-being of all.

"If we can stop honking, especially in large vehicles like buses and trucks, we can prevent many serious health issues," she said, noting that other sources of noise pollution, such as loudspeakers and construction work, must also be addressed.