Traffic police launch crackdown on vehicles defying no-horn rule

KATHMANDU, Feb 25: Traffic police have intensified surveillance on vehicles violating the no-horn rule in the Kathmandu Valley.

The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division has taken this move in its bid to intervene in one of the major causes contributing to noise as sound pollution has emerged a serious issue in the Kathmandu Valley.

The traffic police punished 171 vehicles on a single day on Sunday for breaching the rule. The no-horn rule has been in force in the Kathmandu Valley since Baisakh 1, 2074 BS (April 14, 2017).

Noise pollution can cause hearing loss, hypertension, memory loss, cardiovascular effects including heart-attack risk and respiratory problems. The disabled, children, senior citizens and expectant mothers are more vulnerable to the effects of noise pollution.

According to Division chief and Senior Superintendent of Police Basant Panta, bearing in mind the health issue of the valley residents, blowing of horns by vehicles has been completely banned except at risky road turnings.

Though the Valley was declared a no-horn zone some two years ago, the decision is yet to be fully implemented. Since then, the Division has taken action against 30,468 vehicles for breaching the rule. Each vehicle is charged Rs 500 for the violation. RSS