The High Court Division has issued interim directives to control noise pollution, including regulating the use of fireworks and unnecessary vehicle horns and conducting regular drives in designated silent zones.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the directives following a preliminary hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), registered as case No 14939/2026.
The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why their failure to control noise pollution under existing laws and policies should not be declared illegal, contrary to public interest and public safety, and a violation of citizens' constitutional right to life under Articles 31 and 32.
The rule also seeks an explanation on why directions should not be issued to formulate and implement a coordinated, time-bound action plan to control noise pollution in silent zones and pollution caused by construction work, industrial establishments, social events, festivals and vehicles.
The interim directives
The court issued the following interim directives to the Inspector General of Police, director general of the Department of Environment, chairmen of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and administrators of Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations:
- Implement the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025 and the Road Transport Act, 2018 by installing appropriate signs and signboards in silent zones, communicating with organizations representing communities in those areas, and raising awareness among drivers, construction site managers and other potential sources of noise pollution through campaigns and messages, including SMS. Conduct joint and regular drives against violators.
- Conduct regular drives and public awareness campaigns to prevent unnecessary honking in accordance with Rule 6 of the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025 and Section 45 of the Road Transport Act, 2018.
- Control the use of fireworks and firecrackers in accordance with Rule 8 of the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025.
- Introduce a special and transparent mechanism to address public complaints about noise pollution, modelled on Section 8 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995. This may include a dedicated hotline for receiving complaints and maintaining a register of complaints and actions taken.
- Raise public awareness about the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025 through television, radio, newspapers, social media and awareness programs.
The court directed the authorities concerned to submit reports on compliance with the directives every 3 months.
The respondents in the case include the secretaries of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Road Transport and Highways Division under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges; the Inspector General of Police; the DMP commissioner; the director general of the Department of Environment; the chairmen of BRTA and RAJUK; and the administrators of Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations.
Dhaka, home to more than 2.2 crore people, frequently ranks among the world's most noise-polluted cities. Major sources of noise include unnecessary honking and hydraulic horns, industrial activities, construction work, generators, loud music at social events, uncontrolled use of microphones and loudspeakers, and fireworks.
Under the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025, areas within 100 meters of hospitals, educational institutions, offices and courts are designated as silent zones. The rules also regulate the use of fireworks and firecrackers and empower police to control prohibited vehicle horns.
In Dhaka, designated silent zones include a 3km radius around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Secretariat and surrounding areas, Agargaon, the Parliament Building, the Prime Minister's Office area, Dhaka North City Corporation, Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Niketan.
BELA filed the case citing continued violations of prescribed noise levels in these areas and a lack of effective monitoring by the relevant authorities.
Md Ashraf Ali, Barrister-at-Law, represented BELA in the case, assisted by Advocate Hasanul Banna.