Pressure on horns: Fine hiked to Rs 2,000

In a bid to reduce noise pollution in the city, the Delhi government is planning to increase the penalty for using pressure horns from the existing Rs 100 to Rs 2,000.

Blowing pressure horns may soon leave a hole in your pocket. In a bid to reduce noise pollution in the city, the Delhi government is planning to increase the penalty for using pressure horns from the existing Rs 100 to Rs 2,000. In a meeting on Monday, chief secretary PK Tripathi has asked the Delhi traffic police to draw up a proposal on such lines.

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“Once the proposal is ready, the transport commissioner will determine if the penalty can be increased through a notification,” said Tripathi.

He said that the state government would also write to the Central government to bring necessary change in the proposed amendment of the Motor Vehicle Act.

The Delhi traffic police prosecuted a total of 6,628 drivers for using pressure horns in 2011. They feel that the penalty for this apparently minor violation has to be stringent so Delhiites are forced to lower the usage of pressure horns.

“The current penalty for using pressure horns is seizure of drivers’ documents and a warning to remove the horns within 72 hours,” said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

“Using pressure horns affects ailing and elderly persons, children, patients and students,” he added.

In Delhi, many commercial vehicles as well as private cars use pressure horns.

In 2009, Delhi Police had initiated a drive against the use of pressure horns and had advised motorists to remove pressure horns in the interest and safety of people.

The effort, however, did not yield great results.

The chief secretary said that this bad habit of Delhiites can be changed only if the penalty is increased many fold.