Aftermarket exhausts, designed to amplify engine sounds and enhance performance, are often much louder than the legal noise limits
Noise pollution in Guwahati is a cause of concern with one of the major contributors being motorcycles equipped with aftermarket exhausts and silencers. The trend, popular among today’s crowd along with enthusiasts of all ages, not only disrupts the city's peace but also violates noise regulations, citing concerns among people.
Aftermarket exhausts, designed to amplify engine sounds and enhance performance, are often much louder than the legal noise limits. These modifications, though appealing to some riders for their sporty appeal, are proving to be a nuisance. Areas in Guwahati such as Dispur, Zoo Road, and GS Road have become hotspots for noise complaints, especially during late hours.
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Talking to GPlus, Ranjita Das, a local from Zoo Road said, "These loud exhausts are unbearable especially at night. It’s like living near a racetrack. We are unable to rest or sleep at peace at times in the night”
But, enthusiasts argue otherwise.
“Its not like we blare our bikes at odd hours, and the proper riders like us only ride our bikes/superbikes that have such exhausts installed on it at highways away from crowds and traffic, apart from one or two such isolated incidents, “says Deborshee from Nabin Nagar, the owner of a popular Kawasaki ZX10R bike, while talking to GPlus.
A shopkeeper of a popular motorcycle accessory shop in Guwahati while talking to GPlus said, “The exhausts are generally the decision and choice of the bikers and enthusiasts. Who wouldn’t like an aftermarket exhaust on their high-performance bikes? But, we as sellers do not generally have a say in this, as it is a personal choice.”
In India, motorcycle noise regulations are primarily governed by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and subsequent rules set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The permissible noise limit for motorcycles is generally set at 80 dB(A) for two-wheelers. This limit can vary slightly based on the category of the vehicle and the specific regulations of different states. Vehicles must comply with noise limits as specified during their homologation (the process of certifying that a vehicle meets regulatory standards). Any modifications, such as installing an aftermarket exhaust, may affect compliance. If you install an aftermarket exhaust that produces noise below the legal limit (e.g., 80 dB(A)), technically, you should be within legal limits. However, the exhaust must also comply with emission regulations. Even if your exhaust is within the decibel limit, police officers have the discretion to stop vehicles if they believe the noise is excessive or disruptive. They may use sound meters to measure noise levels, but this can be subjective. This has also been confirmed by officials from DTO.
However, some experts believe that the methods employed by traffic authorities and officials to measure exhaust noise levels may not always be accurate. They point out that officials often place the sound meter directly inside the exhaust, which almost always registers noise levels exceeding 80 dB(A), making it such even for stock exhaust fitted vehicles. This approach, they argue, does not reflect the proper procedure for measuring sound levels. The correct method involves positioning the sound meter at a specific distance from the exhaust, ensuring a more accurate and realistic assessment of noise levels. This flawed approach could lead to unfair penalisation and misrepresentation of compliance with noise regulations.
But, one cannot also argue on the concerns of harsh noise damage to the residents and the traffic officials on the streets too. For the traffic personnel caught in the midst of it though, such noise is an everyday affair they have to live through. Sounds at or below 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA) are generally safe. A single very loud noise or long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss.
An army ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist talking to GPlus said, “Traffic police and even army personnel are exposed to high intensity noise which can cause various ear-related diseases,” adding that at it may not be detected at an early stage, but regular check-ups can help the personnel take precautions to protect the ears.
Conflicts also arise when bikers remove the dB killers from their stock exhausts, causing them to produce sounds similar to those of modified or aftermarket exhaust systems. This practice not only amplifies the noise but also creates confusion during inspections. The situation frequently leads to disputes between vehicle owners and traffic authorities regarding whether such modifications warrant legal action. While some owners argue that the exhaust remains stock, authorities contend that removing the dB killer alters the sound beyond permissible levels. This gray area in enforcement highlights the need for clearer guidelines and stricter monitoring to address such issues effectively.
Additionally, at times the residents have raised concerns about the disruptive activities of certain bikers on the stretch of road near AEC, Jalukbari. These bikers often perform dangerous stunts and rev their modified exhausts to full volume, creating significant noise and causing harassment to the locals. Such behaviour not only disturbs the peace but also poses serious safety risks to commuters using the road. Adding to the nuisance, the use of loud, modified horns further irritates the public and contributes to increased noise pollution.
The Guwahati Traffic Police have started taking action against riders using illegal exhaust systems with several vehicles having been fined, and some modified exhausts or even the two-wheelers being confiscated.
Talking to GPlus, a senior traffic police official from Paltan Bazar said, “Fines are according to the section the violation falls in and they generally start from ₹1000 – ₹2000 onwards. Also, we check if any other illegal modification such as parts or paint or such, has been done by the offender on the vehicle, and then implement the other fines, if applicable.”
An aftermarket exhaust can be installed if it adheres to noise regulations, but one has to be ready for possible scrutiny from law enforcement. To avoid any issues on the road, ensure all modifications are properly documented and fully comply with both noise and emission standards.