Police officers will now be authorized to impose fines for violations of noise pollution regulations, according to a press release on Thursday.
The release stated that excessive noise pollution poses multiple health risks. High noise levels are particularly affecting hospital patients, students at educational institutions, traffic police, rickshaw and vehicle drivers, pedestrians, and residents living alongside roads. It also highlighted the negative impact of noise pollution on overall economic growth.
The government gazetted the Noise Pollution (Control) Regulations 2025 on November 24. Regulation 6 of the rules sets restrictions on vehicle horns: Regulation 6(2) prohibits installing or using a horn on a motor vehicle or watercraft that exceeds permitted noise levels; Regulation 6(3) bans horn use in silent zones; and Regulation 6(4) prohibits horn use at night in residential areas.
Under Regulation 20, police officers are empowered to impose fines on anyone who violates Regulations 6(2), 6(3), or 6(4).
