Mumbai, (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan made a

special appearance at the Mehboob Studios here to express his support

for a unique Mumbai Police initiative - observing Monday as ‘No

Honking Day’.

The actor affixed on his car Saturday a sparkling white sticker that said

“No Honking Today” as representatives of the police department and

scores of NGOs cheered on.

The campaign, first of its kind in India, aims at creating awareness of

the social and medical ill effects of honking and noise pollution.

Mumbai Police and other agencies have so far distributed over

100,000 such stickers in English, Hindi and Marathi to vehicles

owners, including two-wheelers, four wheelers, taxis and autos.

Mumbai has a whopping 1.5 million vehicles, including 110,000

auto-rickshaws and 55,000 taxis, Shahaji Solunke, deputy

commissioner of police (Traffic), told IANS.

Mumbai’s population is approximately 15 million, which means that

there is one vehicle for every 10 people.

“As it is, Mumbai suffers from high noise pollution level. Series of

tests conducted by us have shown that it is between 65 decibels

(lowest) and 95 (highest), both in residential and industrial areas. The

limits are 55 for residential and 85 for industrial areas,” said Sumaira

Abdulali, head of Awaz Foundation, which is part of the ‘No Honking’

initiative.

Harish Baijal, another deputy commissioner of police (Traffic), said

the inspiration for the campaign came when he was posted to Kosovo

for a year.

“Drivers do not honk there at all. I was amazed and wondered why we

could not attempt something like this in Mumbai,” he said.

“Honking is a mindset … and both pedestrians and drivers need to be

disciplined. People seem to enjoy honking, whether driving or waiting

at the 470-odd traffic signals in Mumbai,” Baijal pointed out.

In India, honking is actually encouraged! Behind many vehicles,

especially trucks, “Horn OK Please” is written in bold letters.

Baijal was relieved that many enlightened Mumbaikars shared his

views. Shortly after the initiative was announced, nearly 50 voluntary

organisations, citizens groups, corporate houses, college and school

students came forward to support the campaign.

“Apart from Awaz Foundation, they include the HDFC Bank, Radio

Mirchi, Red FM, STAR News, students of Wilson College and Kirti

College, many schools and 800 traffic police personnel of Mumbai,

and nearly 2000 volunteers of different NGOs and citizens groups,”

Sumaira said.

Sumaira, Solunke and Baijal are unanimous that “awareness” on the

issue is a must.

“We must prepare a noise map of Mumbai and the government must

implement noise pollution control measures,” Sumaira said.

At present, honkers get away with measly fines, but Sumaira suggests

invoking the Environment Protection Act, which makes noise

pollution a non-bailable offence and stipulates a jail term of five years

and a hefty fine of Rs.100,000.

“The nation is already paying heavily for the high noise pollution levels

that we live with. All stress related disorders, heart problems or

hearing defects are directly connected to noise pollution,” Sumaira

said.

She emphasised that the police would be handicapped in their quest to

make Mumbai noise-free without support from concerned

governmental agencies.

Baijal said the traffic police have already begun cracking down on

offenders.

“Last weekend, within just three hours, the police registered 25 cases

of noise pollution. Monday, all those who honk needlessly shall be

penalized,” he said.

FM radio stations have gone all-out to promote the campaign.

Bachchan apart, the organisers have urged other celebrities to come

forward and express support for the drive.

Heavy honking is witnessed on Mondays, the first working day of the

week as people rush to offices after a relaxed weekend. Even

designated ‘no honking zones’ like hospitals and educational

institutions are not spared by speeding drivers.

Rakesh Upadhyay, director of pharma firm Vedanta Health Care, said,

“The drive must be supported by all right thinking citizens as it is for

the general good of the city’s health”.

Sumaira assured the people the campaign would not end Monday. “It’s

the beginning,” she said, adding that it would become a regular feature

until noise pollution was drastically reduced.