Amid the chaos in Guwahati's traffic, the persistent honking has become more than just noise—it's a means of communication.
It is the soundtrack of the roads, a constant refrain signalling, "Watch out, I'm moving!" While honking might serve as a language between motorists and pedestrians, it has evolved into a pervasive issue, one that lacks the stringent regulations witnessed in other parts of the country.
In 2023, Noida took a bold step to address the issue of unnecessary honking, imposing fines and designating silence zones in a bid to bring about a more tranquil cityscape.
The Noida Authority identified 140 places where honking would not be tolerated, with fines of Rs 1,000 for the first offence and Rs 2,000 for subsequent violations.
Signs were planned to remind drivers of the new regulations, emphasizing the importance of a quieter coexistence in certain areas.
However, the same narrative of strict implementation seems to be lacking in Guwahati, where the hum of unnecessary honking continues to dominate the roads.
Despite the existence of Section 194F of the Motor Vehicles Act, which prescribes fines for unnecessary honking, the effective application of these rules appears elusive in the city.
According to the Motor Vehicles Act, anyone sounding the horn needlessly, continuously, or more than necessary for safety can be penalized.
Similarly, honking in areas designated as silence zones or operating a vehicle with a cut-out releasing exhaust gases other than through the silencer is punishable by fines of one thousand rupees for the first offense and two thousand rupees for subsequent violations.
GPlus reached out to residents of Guwahati to gauge their sentiments on the persistent honking issue.
A resident of Chandmari seeking anonymity talking to GPlus expressed concern about the lack of effective measures to curb unnecessary honking.
"To put an end to this incessant honking and curb noise pollution, Guwahati needs well-defined lanes and roads for each vehicle. Regulations should also be in place to address accidental behaviors, such as motorcycles lacking rear-view mirrors, vehicles overtaking from the left side, and failure to use the headlight dipper single at night,” he said.
Many lanes in Guwahati do not support two-way transportation, leading to a significant amount of honking and chaos. Transforming these lanes into one-way thoroughfares could be a step towards mitigating the problem, Ranjan Das, a resident of Rehabari, said.
Talking to GPlus, a senior official from the District Transport Office (DTO) emphasized the importance of clear signage near silent zones.
"To effectively address unnecessary honking, proper signage by PWD should be strategically placed near silent zones, positioned at least 15 meters away from the designated areas,” he said.
Clear communication through signage is crucial to ensuring that drivers are aware of and adhere to the regulations, the transport department official said.
However, speaking to GPlus, an official from the PWD stated, "We did not receive proper guidelines for horn signages, despite the presence of some near Gauhati High Court and other prominent places. Although we have submitted estimates for traffic signages, they are yet to be sanctioned."
Despite these suggestions and the existence of regulations, Guwahati continues to grapple with the persistent issue of unnecessary honking. To shed light on ongoing initiatives, the transport department official shared, "In 2023, we provided refresher training to 14,000 commercial drivers covering all traffic rules. Our focus is on educating drivers as extensively as possible."
