In an effort to lessen noise pollution, the government today declared the establishment of a “horn-free zone” at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) and a 3-kilometer “Silent Zone” that runs from the La Méridien hotel to the Scholastica campus in Uttara.
At the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) headquarters here, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the adviser for the environment, forests, climate change, and water resources, formally announced the project.
The occasion was chaired by Air Vice Marshal Md. Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of the CAAB. Among those in attendance were Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director General of the Department of Environment, and Secretary of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Nasreen Jahan.
Before that an awareness rally was brought out in front of the CAAB headquarters.
Rizwana urged all drivers, passengers, and vehicle owners to cooperate fully in implementing this initiative.
She expressed the hope that similar measures could be extended to other parts of the capital including hospitals and secretariat areas in the future, fostering a nationwide habit of refraining from unnecessary honking.
To implement the decisions, mobile courts have been deployed at three key points along the designated route for seven days, with the possibility of extending the timeframe if necessary to enforce the decision.
Magistrates from the Department of Environment will be stationed near Le Méridien while CAAB magistrates will oversee the area near the airport’s roundabout, and BRTA magistrates will be active at the Scholastica point, supported by traffic police, volunteers, students, and transport association representatives.
The adviser said taka 500 penalty are fixed for violation of rules in the honk-free zone.
Beside, several measures are being implemented under the guidance of Environment and Forest Ministry including installation of awareness-raising banners and billboards, distribution of leaflets, and media campaigns through electronic, print, and social media.
Additionally, there are speed control measures, proper parking management within the airport, and enforcement of the no-horn rule through mobile courts.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has also installed awareness signs along the roads to ensure that drivers can easily see them even at night.
The Bangladesh Truck and Covered Van Owners Association has also taken specific steps to curb noise pollution, instructing all bus and truck drivers to refrain from honking in the designated area.
Leaflets are being distributed at relevant terminals to raise awareness among drivers, with the aim of fostering an environmentally conscious driving culture.
The Department of Environment will spearhead public awareness initiatives to inform the public about the detrimental impacts of noise pollution and to motivate them to take an active role in reducing noise.Mobile courts were also deployed for implementing the ruling of prohibition on single-use plastic at the airport, CAAB sources added.
These courts will run on a regular basis in order to keep an eye on and sustain the initiative’s efficacy.
Signage that is required and digital display boards emphasizing the harmf
