Mumbai to avoid honking on World Health Day

Mumbai: The countdown to No Honking Day on April 7 has begun and Mumbai Traffic Police, in coordination with a host of other organisations, have begun appealing to motorists, especially drivers of taxis, autorickshaws and two-wheelers, to refrain from using their horns on this day, hoping to raise awareness on noise pollution.

As the campaign arouses interest, people have been left wondering how they can traverse through Mumbai's or, for that matter, any Indian city's roads without honking.

At least one motorist vouched that "driving without honking is like riding a horse without the reins. How can I drive if I can't tell the pedestrian trying to cross the road or the motorist inching into my path that I am coming?"

Health impact

With the United Nations declaring April 7 as World Health Day, the police have chosen this day to drive home the point that too much noise undermines human health.

More than 2,000 volunteers have been enlisted and the police are hopeful of roping in school children, teachers, environmentalists and others. "We have begun putting up hoardings at prominent places, at bus shelters and on buses as well as 1,000 banners across the city," said a traffic police officer.

"We have also sent 10,000 stickers to the Mumbai Taximen's and the Autorickshaw Unions. Instructors in 350 driving schools in Mumbai have been asked to sensitise their trainees on the nuisance of honking."