FW: The serious issue of Traffic Noise pollution
Dinesh Dhanapathi
Hello All,
A small contribution from all of us!
Let us consciously avoid and aid in banning the following.
Use of horn at prohibited places
Defective silencer
Shrill Horns
Illegal air horns
Reverse horns
Side signal beepers
Let us circulate this in our Circles and make a start.
Regards,
Dinesh Dhanapathi
From: varadarajan <vardhi...@gmail.com>
Sent: 26 March 2018 12:11
To: pres...@ait-bengaluru.in
Cc: secr...@ait-bengaluru.in; jointse...@ait-bengaluru.in
Subject: RE: The serious issue of Traffic Noise pollution
Just a small reminder. Your active involvement will make a great difference in the fight against Traffic Noise Pollution. Let us know, if you need any assistance.
Regards
Varadarajan
A 2, Sowbhagya Apt., 80 feet road, HAL 3rd stage,
Bangalore 560075
Landmark: Next to The Warehouse
Cell No.: +919449001042 ;
From: varadarajan [mailto:vardhi...@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2018 6:36 PM
To: 'pres...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Cc: 'secr...@ait-bengaluru.in'; 'jointse...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Subject: RE: The serious issue of Traffic Noise pollution
Dear Sir,
Regarding Traffic Noise Pollution
Further to our mails below, please note our continuing efforts with authorities in respect of Traffic Noise Pollution have gathered momentum. Attached is a recent response from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed to the Transport Commissioner, Karnataka and the Police Commissioner, Bengaluru to file an action taken report in respect of the various issues raised by us.
While we seek the attention and leadership of authorities in curbing the growing menace of Traffic Noise Pollution, it is absolutely our responsibility as citizens and associations to demonstrate our commitment. Without your active participation, Traffic Noise Pollution will continue to become more and more disruptive in our neighbourhoods.
Traffic Noise violation penalties is not having any significant impact: http://www.bangaloretrafficpolice.gov.in/images/Comparative%20Statement%20Offence%20DEC%202017.pdf – the Departments own statistics shows that for 2017 out of approx. 1 million cases booked only 35800 cases relate to Traffic Noise Pollution: Use of horn at prohibited places (756), Defective silencer ((5053) and Shrill Horn (30112) – this is a minuscule %age of the total. Also, if you take vehicular population of 73 lacs+, the picture is clear. The Traffic Police can do only so much, rest is for us all to do.
We urge the AIT to set a target in getting rid of illegal air horns, reverse horns and side signal beepers through its members and all employees as an important first step. We would like to report to the Police about such efforts, so that they are encouraged and will focus on even more vigilant policing.
We seek your continuing interest and co-operation in making Bengaluru a Noise Free city!
Regards
Varadarajan
A 2, Sowbhagya Apt., 80 feet road, HAL 3rd stage,
Bangalore 560075
Landmark: Next to The Warehouse
Cell No.: +919449001042 ;
From: varadarajan [mailto:vardhi...@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 2:53 PM
To: 'pres...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Cc: 'secr...@ait-bengaluru.in'; 'jointse...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Subject: RE: The serious issue of Traffic Noise pollution
This follows our earlier mail below. This news item of today, is proof that the menace of Traffic Noise is becoming a threat:
We need to do our best in a pro-active manner to ensure that banned devices are not in use in our neighbourhood, our vendors and our employees do not fit and use them. This will be a great achievement and will further strengthen and encourage the Police to be more vigilant.
Let us know, if we could be of any further assistance. We appreciate your interest and concern in this matter. Look forward to developments.
Regards
Varadarajan
A 2, Sowbhagya Apt., 80 feet road, HAL 3rd stage,
Bangalore 560075
Landmark: Next to The Warehouse
Cell No.: +919449001042 ;
From: varadarajan [mailto:vardhi...@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 3:15 PM
To: 'pres...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Cc: 'secr...@ait-bengaluru.in'; 'jointse...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Subject: RE: The serious issue of Traffic Noise pollution
Dear Sir,
You will be pleased to know that the WEPPIA (Whitefield Export Promotion Park Industrial Association), ELCITA (Electronic City Industrial Township Authority) and the Bengaluru Apartments Federation have expressed their interest and confirmations on this issue. We trust the AIT will also act on its own (as outlined in our mails below since 4th Dec 2017) to control the growing menace of Traffic Noise Pollution.
We are attaching with this mail content that could be useful to you in this regard.
We should all rise in the cause of making Namma Bengaluru a better place to live each day of our lives. If not, there is no stopping the menace of increasing Traffic Noise Pollution. The choice is clear.
Regards
Varadarajan
A 2, Sowbhagya Apt., 80 feet road, HAL 3rd stage,
Bangalore 560075
Landmark: Next to The Warehouse
Cell No.: +919449001042 ;
From: varadarajan [mailto:vardhi...@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2018 1:09 PM
To: 'pres...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Cc: 'secr...@ait-bengaluru.in'; 'jointse...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Subject: RE: The serious issue of Traffic Noise pollution
Dear Sir,
We would appreciate your feedback on our mail below of 21/12/2017. Could you initiate the proposed action of advising your members to use transport vehicles which are compliant with Rule119 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act (quoted below) – i.e. removal of Air Horns - as well as employees to remove Reverse Horns from cars and Side Signal Beepers from 2 wheelers?.
It will be a very significant contribution to keep the growing menace of Traffic Noise Pollution in some check.
The Traffic Police have sought help from all Bengaluru residents and institutions to support the cause, since implementation by Police alone – in terms of identifying offenders on the road and penalising them is a humungous task and has not worked.
Your feedback and support will be very encouraging in this battle against Traffic Noise Pollution.
Regards
Varadarajan
A 2, Sowbhagya Apt., 80 feet road, HAL 3rd stage,
Bangalore 560075
Landmark: Next to The Warehouse
Cell No.: +919449001042 ;
From: varadarajan [mailto:vardhi...@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2017 6:17 PM
To: 'pres...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Cc: 'secr...@ait-bengaluru.in'; 'jointse...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Subject: RE: The serious issue of Traffic Noise pollution
Dear Sir,
In continuation with our previous mail in respect of the growing menace of Traffic Noise Pollution in Bengaluru, we seek your attention, interest and action in the matter. While the Traffic Police attempts to enforce laws in respect of Honking, use of banned devices etc., it is felt that this is wholly inadequate and that there has to be mass participation across all citizens. Unless, citizens themselves give up the fitment and use of banned devices (explained below), there is NOT going to be any significant impact.
Please see the following notifications:
- Rule 119 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and the Central Pollution Control Board’s directive of 6/2/2017 deals with horns and clearly prohibits fitment of Air Horns as well as multi tone horns giving a succession of different notes or with any other sound producing device giving an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise. It is recommended that such devices be confiscated. This clearly includes fitment of Reverse Horns, side signal beepers etc. Also, it may be noted that both reverse horns and side signal beepers are not standard company fitment.
- Karnataka Environment Ministry’s notification dated 28/10/2015 prohibits use of horns during night time (10 pm to 6 am) in residential areas
- Karnataka State PCB notification of 28/3/2014 orders: No honking at all traffic junctions and creation of Silence Zones
The three relevant reference documents are attached for your quick reference. Rule 119 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act can be independently verified on the net.
Clearly, this establishes the framework which we as citizens need to understand and comply with. We are also attaching a Word File, which can be used as a Company Circular addressed to all Employees in this regard. If we can get rid of these offending devices on our own, the impact will be significant and it will be a great win for all of us.
In case you need any further information, please write or call us on the number below. Hoping to get your response.
Regards
Varadarajan
A 2, Sowbhagya Apt., 80 feet road, HAL 3rd stage,
Bangalore 560075
Landmark: Next to The Warehouse
Cell No.: +919449001042 ;
From: varadarajan [mailto:vardhi...@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, December 4, 2017 2:47 PM
To: 'pres...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Cc: 'secr...@ait-bengaluru.in'; 'jointse...@ait-bengaluru.in'
Subject: The serious issue of Traffic Noise pollution
President AIT
Bengaluru
Dear Sir,
While Air Pollution, revival of Lakes, preservation of trees among others, receive a great deal of attention, Traffic Noise Pollution does not. Consequently, the menace of Traffic Noise Pollution has grown unchecked and now threatens “Liveability” across several residential areas of Bengaluru.
We are continuing our efforts in making our roads and residential areas significantly less noisy and more liveable and peaceful. We have met the local Traffic Police and they seek involvement and help from all citizens and institutions.
This is therefore an appeal to AIT and its Members to help in this cause. Below are some critical issues that require our collective attention:
- Target 1: the first aim is to get rid of a) Air Horns (or Pressure and multi tone horns) – fitted and used by transport buses (large as well as the 15 seater types – like the Tempo Traveller) and in some cases even school buses, b) Reverse Horns – fitted on cars and other vehicles and c) finally the side signal beepers fitted on 2 wheelers. Together, these three are significant contributors to Traffic Noise Pollution.
- Bengaluru has a very high density of vehicles: Since the numbers of vehicles in Bengaluru is over 76 lacs, it is extremely difficult for the Traffic Police to identify and penalize users of such devices. And each day a couple of hundred more vehicles are added.
- Air Horns as you would have experienced, are shrill and loud and push the Ambient Noise to 100dB+. The prescribed noise level norm for Day and Night time (10 PM to 6 AM) is 55dB and 45dB respectively for residential and designated areas such as around Schools. Considering that every additional 10dB doubles the sound level, Air Horns contribute to raising the sound levels about 10 to 30 times! It may be noted that BMTC buses use only electric horns.
- Reverse Horns: these are continuous and shrill and have the power to shatter the peace in the neighbourhood and are particularly disturbing. Bengaluru has more than 13 lac cars and therefore reverse horns add considerably to Traffic Noise Pollution.
- Side Signal beepers (on 2 wheelers): with over 49 lac Two Wheelers, the irritability of these beepers can be well imagined and experienced.
- The legal position on Air Horns (multi tone horns), Reverse Horns and Side Signal Beepers:
- Rule 119 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and the Central Pollution Control Board’s directive of 6/2/2017 deals with horns and clearly prohibits fitment of Air Horns as well as multi tone horns giving a succession of different notes or with any other sound producing device giving an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise. It is recommended that such devices be confiscated. This clearly includes fitment of Reverse Horns, side signal beepers etc. Also, it may be noted that both reverse horns and side signal beepers are not standard company fitment. There are judgements of the Kerala HC and Bombay HC that have upheld these provisions.
- Sleep hindrance: Sleep being a fundamental right under Article 21 as per the Supreme Court, the above devices when used (as is currently happening) at night times (defined as 10 PM to 6 AM), disturb sleep of citizens leading to serious impact on their health.
- Fitment and Use of these noise making devices is illegal: It is clear from the above that fitment and use of Air Horns, Multi Tone Horns, Reverse Horns and Side Signal beepers are disallowed as per the prevailing law.
- What AIT and its Members can do:
- Since it is illegal to fit and use the devices mentioned above, AIT should advise all its Members to ensure that all transport vendors should remove Air Horns (if fitted) and advise employees to remove Reverse Horns and Side Signal Beepers from cars and two wheelers
- No Honking: There us excessive and unnecessary Honking on Bengaluru roads. AIT could promote a No Honking campaign among its members and their employees.
Bengaluru is fast becoming a city with excessive Traffic Noise Pollution, leading to disturbance of public peace, disturbing Sleep of its citizens and consequently leading to serious health impacts. This in turn will also affect productivity in the workplace.
This is a first step, but a big one, to be followed by other measures to cut down excessive Honking, identifying and designating No Honking and Silence Zones etc.
We earnestly request you to take up this task and achieve the desired results. We should all rise in the cause of making Namma Bengaluru a better place to live each day of our lives. If not, there is no stopping the menace of increasing Traffic Noise Pollution. The choice is clear.
Regards
Varadarajan
A 2, Sowbhagya Apt., 80 feet road, HAL 3rd stage,
Bangalore 560075
Landmark: Next to The Warehouse
Cell No.: +919449001042 ;