Kolkata continues to struggle with excessive honking on its roads. This problem persists despite the introduction of enhanced fines over three years ago. The noise creates headaches for both traffic police and residents.
Police Crackdown Intensifies
Traffic authorities prosecuted more than 790 motorists in the past month alone. These drivers faced charges for honking without valid reasons. All violations occurred in designated no-honking zones around hospitals and schools.
Police officials state they typically register about 600 such cases every month. The numbers reveal a consistent pattern of disregard for noise regulations.
City-Wide Drive Expansion
Kolkata Police launched a special enforcement drive one month ago. The initiative focused initially on hospital and school zones. Now, Lalbazar headquarters has decided to extend this campaign across the entire city.
This expanded drive will become a regular feature covering wider areas. The anti-pollution cell will conduct raids alongside the special raid section. Silent zones, particularly schools which suffer the most, will remain priority targets.
Authorities have actively sought public assistance to combat this nuisance. They encourage citizens to report violations and support enforcement efforts.
Two-Wheelers Major Offenders
Contrary to common assumptions, motorcycle and scooter riders contribute significantly to the problem. Police officers observed that two-wheeler riders honk excessively in many city areas.
The anti-pollution cell organized approximately 85% of the recent raids. Other traffic guards also participated in enforcement actions.
For instance, the Sealdah traffic guard conducted operations in the College Street silent zone. Several other guards registered stray cases throughout the city.
Legal Action and Penalties
Police are taking action under the West Bengal Motor Vehicle Rules and the national Motor Vehicles Act. Every motorist caught honking unnecessarily faces immediate consequences.
Officers confirmed that all violators must pay an enhanced fine of Rs 2,000 each. This substantial penalty aims to deter reckless honking behavior.
High-Risk Zones Identified
Certain areas in Kolkata experience particularly high rates of honking violations. The educational institute zone covering Sealdah, Amherst Street, College Street, and MG Road tops the list.
Other problematic locations include the Hastings area and the Taratala-Majerhat corridor. Shyambazar and the Park Street-Park Circus zones also reported numerous violations this year.
These zones share a common characteristic: they contain multiple schools within their boundaries. The presence of educational institutions makes them especially vulnerable to noise disturbances.
The persistent honking problem highlights the challenge of changing driver behavior. Even with stricter penalties and regular enforcement, many motorists continue to create unnecessary noise pollution. Kolkata's streets remain louder than regulations permit, affecting residents' quality of life daily.
