The government has introduced tougher measures to curb noise pollution, including a ban on honking in residential areas between 9:00pm and 6:00am, as part of a new set of restrictions aimed at protecting public health and the environment.
The measures were announced in a public notice issued by the Department of Environment (DoE) on Thursday.
The DoE said noise pollution poses a serious threat to human health and biodiversity. To address the problem, the government has promulgated the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025, prescribing permissible noise limits for different areas and imposing stricter controls on noise-generating activities.
Under the rules, the maximum allowable noise level has been set at 40 decibels in silent zones and 75 decibels in industrial areas.
The rules also stipulate that:
(A)Noise generated by any equipment or activity must not exceed the prescribed limits.
(B) High-noise equipment may not be used in public places without prior written approval from the competent authority. Even with permission, the noise levelmust not exceed 90 decibels, operation is limited to five hours, and use must end before 11:00pm.
(C) The manufacture, import, storage, sale, display, distribution, marketing, transportation and use of horns exceeding the prescribed noise limits are prohibited.
(D) Honking is strictly prohibited in silent zones, where the use of firecrackers, fireworks and other noise-producing activities is also banned.
(E) Honking is prohibited in residential areas from 9:00pm to 6:00am.
(F)Picnics are banned in natural forests and wildlife habitats, and the use of loudspeakers or other high-noise equipment in such areas is prohibited.
(G)Construction machinery may not be operated between 7:00pm and 7:00am within 500 metres of the boundary of a residential area.
(H)Traffic sergeants or officers of higher rank are empowered to impose on-the-spot penalties for noise pollution offences committed in their presence.
The Department of Environment urged the public to comply with the new rules to help safeguard public health and protect the environment.
