KOLKATA: Lalbazar is set to increase the number of no-honking zones in the city from next week when schools start reopening. Lalbazar has identified school clusters (and not just the gates of the schools) where its special raid section will carry out regular drive against those honking unnecessarily.
“While we have begun cracking down on honking in May by carrying out special drives outside schools, this time round it will be a sustained campaign. For this reason, some schools have been combined to create clusters. The teams will now be placed in these stretches twice-a-day,” said an officer.
The Anti-Pollution Cell, will organize the raids in 85% of the cases. Among the other traffic units, the Sealdah traffic guard, which organize raids in the College Street silent zone, is expected to play a lead role along with east, southeast, south and headquarter traffic guards. Together they account for over 60% of all school honking violations. Stray cases were registered by a few other guards too in this regard.
“We have decided to record the sounds and then go for prosecutions so that we have proof when challenged. The no-honking fine, according to the prevailing amended Motor Vehicles Rules, stands at Rs 1,000,” said an officer, adding that three school sectors — the Exide-Park Circus-Mullickbazar zone, the Park Circus zone and Ballygunge zone — were the worst hit in May. “These will be our focus areas from next week,” said an officer at Lalbazar.
Action will be taken under the West Bengal Motor Vehicle Rules and Motor Vehicles Act. “All motorists caught in these acts are being asked to cough up an enhanced fine of Rs 2,000 each,” said cops.
“We are trying to tell drivers to stop honking without reason near schools. In Kolkata, people are prone to blow horns, but rarely use them at the crossings. It is a tool for overtaking but it can really affect the concentration of students, especially since they spent the past 2.5 years at homes, where noise pollution remained the least. We are trying to change this mindset even if the fine amount is negligible,” added an official.
Among the most honking prone zones in the city — besides Sealdah-Amherst Street-College Street-MG Road educational institute zone — are the Hastings and Taratala-Majerhat area. The Park Street-Park Circus zones too have reported many violations this year, both of these areas have multiple schools.
