The government has declared the surrounding areas of the secretariat as 'No Horn Zone', which will come into effect from December 17.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, no vehicle will be allowed to honk horn in Zero Point, Paltan intersection and surrounding areas with an aim to prevent sound pollution.
The decision was informed at a meeting at the conference room of the ministry with secretary Billal Hossain in the chair. Representatives from other ministries and agencies were also present in the meeting.
The vehicles plying in these areas have been instructed not to honk horns. Otherwise legal actions will be taken against them for violating the instruction.
According to the article 8(2) of the noise pollution (control) rules 2006 of Environment Conservation Act 1995, the convicted person who will honk horn in the silent zone by defying the rules will serve one month in jail or be fined Tk 5000 or both. For the same kind of offence for the second time, the imprisonment will be for six months or Tk 10,000 fine or both.
Earlier in an inter-ministerial meeting held on November 25 chaired by environment minister Shahab Uddin, it was decided to declare the secretariat and the surrounding areas as silent zone.
The issue of creating mass awareness in this regard was emphasised in the meeting. The authorities concerned will set up billboard, banner, distribute leaflet and do miking for awareness.
Such initiatives will be taken in other important areas of the country, the meeting was informed.
