Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser to the Interim Government, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, emphasized that reducing noise pollution is everyone's responsibility, not just the government's. "It cannot be left solely to the government. To control noise pollution, unnecessary honking must be stopped as it's a bad habit of ours and it must be changed," she remarked during a rally organized to raise public awareness against honking near the airport area in the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the rally was jointly organized by the Department of Environment, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh. The event aimed to implement the 'Discouraging Honking in Declared Silent Zone' initiative. Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended as a special guest.
Rizwana, who also oversees the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Ministry of Water Resources, stated that the initial focus is solely on controlling horn usage. She stressed that no circumstances justify the use of horns and urged for penalties similar to those for other traffic violations. She highlighted that the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2025 are now enacted and involve the police. Traffic police have trained young individuals who are now part of the effort to curb honking. Rizwana suggested that Civil Aviation could collaborate with volunteers to enforce the silent zones around the airport, setting a precedent for a horn-free environment.
The adviser highlighted that high noise levels have resulted in 65 percent of drivers in Dhaka experiencing hearing impairment. She mentioned that the noise from horns is particularly distressing for school-going children and urged collective responsibility to address the issue. Rizwana called on media professionals to actively participate in raising public awareness from their respective platforms.
Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed reiterated the government's commitment to enforcing noise control regulations and sought cooperation from all relevant parties. Other speakers at the rally included DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz, Additional Police Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Md. Sarwar, and Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique. Additional attendees included the Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) of the DMP Md. Anisur Rahman, Project Director of the Noise Pollution Control Project Farid Ahmed, and senior officials from the involved organizations.