Despite the declaration of the placement surrounding Hazrat Shahjalal World Airport in Dhaka as a “Restful Zone,” minute has modified genuinely.
The Ministry of Surroundings, Wooded space, and Climate Trade, led by adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, announced the designation of the airport situation and a 1.5-kilometer stretch from the airport (from Scholastica Faculty to Resort La Meridian) as a “Restful Zone” on 1 October as per the Noise Pollution Succor watch over Principles 2006, with violations doubtlessly resulting in fines or imprisonment.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Dhaka North Metropolis Corporation (DNCC), the Department of Surroundings, the Motorway Department, and the Bangladesh Motorway Transport Homeowners Association are to blame for enforcing the rules that took enact on 1 October.
Then all yet again, discipline observations point to a totally different reality.
Field Observations
Upon inspection, signage indicating the originate of the “Restful Zone” used to be spotted at totally different areas, including in front of La Meridian Point within the south and on a metal pole along the footpath at Scholastica Point in Uttara. But, no longer a single automotive used to be seen driving without honking.
Valid thru visits on Thursday night and Friday daylight hours, no drivers perceived to stick with the rules. Many persisted to honk unnecessarily, especially buses and motorcycles, producing low noise levels. Observers famed an absence of enforcement or monitoring within the placement.
Native Concerns
Residents, passengers, and commercial dwelling owners expressed frustration that the noise pollution effort has remained unchanged because the “Restful Zone” used to be applied. “Drivers are honking for any reason and none,” a passenger famed. “With out legislation enforcement, this initiative can no longer prevail.”
Passengers waiting on the principal aspect freeway come the airport confirmed the pervasive sound of horns. “Each person, including buses and motorcycles, is honking unnecessarily,” one passenger said. “I have not seen any fines being enforced by traffic police.”
When puzzled regarding the effectiveness of the silent zone, a security guard come the La Meridian Resort admitted that honking has no longer decreased, and drivers proceed to disclose their horns excessively.
Drivers’ Views
Drivers defended their actions, claiming that honking is serious for security attributable to the chaotic traffic prerequisites in Dhaka. “Of us adverse the aspect freeway wherever they want, and without honking, accidents assuredly have a tendency to happen,” Md Yusuf, a non-public automotive driver said.
They expressed skepticism about whether driving without honking used to be seemingly. “Carry out they deem we can power without horns in this city?” one other driver, Sujon asked.
When asked regarding the penalties for violating the horn ban, drivers had been in doubt of the explicit fines.
Outdated Initiatives and Learn Findings
Previously, the Department of Surroundings announced 12 silent zones within the direction of Bangladesh, with 5 located in Dhaka, including the Secretariat, Agargaon, and the Parliament situation. Then all yet again, a recent explore by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Experiences (CAPS) printed that no silent zones within the nation had been successfully enforced.
The reasonable noise level recorded in these areas used to be alarmingly excessive, with the Secretariat situation averaging 79.5 decibels.
Professor Ahmed Kamruzzaman, head of the Environmental Science Department at Stamford College and CAPS chairman, emphasised the need for greater consciousness among drivers, automotive dwelling owners, and the public.
“If we can eradicate horns, we can within the reduction of 60% of the noise pollution in Dhaka,” he said.
He acknowledged the fresh accurate framework for noise pollution is mature.
Factual Framework
Per the Noise Pollution Succor watch over Principles 2006, residential areas must no longer exceed forty five decibels from 9pm to 6am and 55 decibels within the direction of the day.
In commercial areas, these limits are situation at 60 and 70 decibels, respectively. Areas surrounding faculties, hospitals, and locations of affection are designated as silent zones as much as 100 meters, with explicit noise level restrictions.
Violations can consequence in as much as one month of imprisonment or fines of as much as Tk5,000 for first offenses, and for subsequent offenses, six months of imprisonment or fines of as much as Tk10,000.
Air Vice Marshal Md. Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), said the a success implementation of this initiative relies on public consciousness and cooperation from drivers and automotive dwelling owners.
CAAB and the authorities at Hazrat Shahjalal World Airport are actively working to fight noise pollution and rep obvious the success of the “Restful Zone” initiative, he said.
