The Cribune, Chanidgarh last updated: Apr 21, 2016, 2:17 AM (IST)
Satinder Pal Singh
DERA BASSI, APRIL 20
The norms of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to maintain silence zones outside hospitals seems to have been thrown to winds in the city. For instance, neither any signboard reading “no horn zone” has been witnessed near the Dera Bassi Civil Hospital, nor has any challans been issued to drivers honking pressure horns.
Even as the Traffic Department expresses its helplessness in the matter, the incessant blaring of horns near the Civil Hospital causes serious hardship to the patients.
According to the rules, laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board, honking is banned in the 100-metre radius around hospitals, educational institutions, courts and religious places.
The rules stated that no vehicles should be fitted with any multi-toned horn, giving a succession of different notes or any other sound producing device giving an unduly harsh, shrill and alarming noise. But the norms on enforcing silence zones near the hospital are hardly being implemented in the city.
Coupled with the lax attitude of the authorities, what makes the problem worse is the fact that the Civil Hospital is just a stone throw away from the Dera Bassi bus stand, where traffic jams and honking are maddeningly frequent.
One of the senior doctors at the Dera Bassi Civil Hospital said the traffic police should frequently launch drives to keep check on growing noise pollution. He added that these pressure horns caused noise pollution and some of the shrill and loud ones could cause accidents by startling other drivers, making them lose control of vehicles. “Noise pollution causes mental stress, causing high blood pressure and can affect senses of hearing,” the doctor added.
Rakesh Kumar, a patient undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital, said: “It is the responsibility of the authorities concerned to set up “no horn zone” signboards near the hospital. Sadly, no one is following the norms.”
Meanwhile, SMO, Dera Bassi Civil Hospital, Mohinder Singh said: “Public should be made aware of avoiding use of pressure horns near hospitals.” He said police personnel should be deployed near hospitals to keep an eye on private buses and trucks who flout the norms. Besides issuing challans, the transporters, schools and college students should be aware of the health hazards caused by such things,” the SMO added.
When contacted, District Transport Officer (DTO) Karan Singh said: “We do check heavy vehicles for pressure horns to prevent noise pollution and promote road safety. A fine of Rs 1,000 is imposed on the drivers who use pressure horns in such areas.”
