Despite the declaration of the gap surrounding Hazrat Shahjalal Global Airport in Dhaka as a “Quiet Zone,” minute has changed for sure.
The Ministry of Ambiance, Woodland, and Local climate Trade, led by adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, announced the designation of the airport space and a 1.5-kilometer stretch from the airport (from Scholastica College to Resort La Meridian) as a “Quiet Zone” on 1 October as per the Noise Air pollution Retain watch over Rules 2006, with violations potentially ensuing in fines or imprisonment.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Dhaka North Metropolis Corporation (DNCC), the Department of Ambiance, the Boulevard Department, and the Bangladesh Boulevard Transport Owners Affiliation are in price for implementing the regulations that took stay on 1 October.
On the choice hand, self-discipline observations show a diverse actuality.
Topic Observations
Upon inspection, signage indicating the initiating up of the “Quiet Zone” became once spotted at diverse locations, alongside with in entrance of La Meridian Point in the south and on a steel pole alongside the footpath at Scholastica Point in Uttara. But, no longer a single automobile became once considered utilizing without honking.
One day of visits on Thursday evening and Friday daytime, no drivers looked as if it would adhere to the regulations. Many continued to honk unnecessarily, especially buses and motorcycles, producing excessive noise ranges. Observers illustrious a lack of enforcement or monitoring in the gap.
Local Concerns
Residents, passengers, and industry house owners expressed frustration that the noise pollution plot back has remained unchanged for the reason that “Quiet Zone” became once applied. “Drivers are honking for any reason and none,” a passenger illustrious. “With out law enforcement, this initiative can no longer succeed.”
Passengers waiting on the most fundamental avenue reach the airport confirmed the pervasive sound of horns. “Everyone, alongside with buses and motorcycles, is honking unnecessarily,” one passenger talked about. “I have not considered any fines being enforced by online page online visitors police.”
When puzzled about the effectiveness of the tranquil zone, a security guard reach the La Meridian Resort admitted that honking has no longer diminished, and drivers continue to use their horns excessively.
Drivers’ Views
Drivers defended their actions, claiming that honking is serious for security due to the the chaotic online page online visitors prerequisites in Dhaka. “Other folks unfriendly the avenue wherever they want, and without honking, accidents normally have a tendency to occur,” Md Yusuf, a non-public automobile driver talked about.
They expressed skepticism about whether or no longer utilizing without honking became once feasible. “Construct they judge we can power without horns on this city?” one other driver, Sujon asked.
When asked about the penalties for violating the horn ban, drivers were unsure of the actual fines.
Outdated Initiatives and Analysis Findings
Beforehand, the Department of Ambiance announced 12 tranquil zones across Bangladesh, with 5 located in Dhaka, alongside with the Secretariat, Agargaon, and the Parliament space. On the choice hand, a contemporary gaze by the Center for Atmospheric Air pollution Stories (CAPS) published that no tranquil zones in the country were effectively enforced.
The moderate noise level recorded in these areas became once alarmingly high, with the Secretariat space averaging seventy nine.5 decibels.
Professor Ahmed Kamruzzaman, head of the Environmental Science Department at Stamford University and CAPS chairman, emphasised the need for higher consciousness among drivers, automobile house owners, and the public.
“If we can get rid of horns, we can lower 60% of the noise pollution in Dhaka,” he talked about.
He acknowledged the brand new upright framework for noise pollution is passe.
Correct Framework
In step with the Noise Air pollution Retain watch over Rules 2006, residential areas can also peaceable no longer exceed forty five decibels from 9pm to 6am and 55 decibels at some stage in the day.
In industrial areas, these limits are space at 60 and 70 decibels, respectively. Areas surrounding colleges, hospitals, and locations of treasure are designated as tranquil zones as a lot as 100 meters, with convey noise level restrictions.
Violations can also kill up in as a lot as one month of imprisonment or fines of as a lot as Tk5,000 for first offenses, and for subsequent offenses, six months of imprisonment or fines of as a lot as Tk10,000.
Air Vice Marshal Md. Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), talked about the a hit implementation of this initiative depends on public consciousness and cooperation from drivers and automobile house owners.
CAAB and the authorities at Hazrat Shahjalal Global Airport are actively working to combat noise pollution and make sure the success of the “Quiet Zone” initiative, he talked about.
