The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

A mobile court led by magistrate AHM Anwar Pasha yesterday prosecuted drivers of 20 vehicles, including motor cycles and fined them Taka 13,050 for violation of noise pollution act during a special drive at Shahbagh crossing yesterday.

Traffic police also seized horns of different vehicles, which they were using in violation of law, sources said.

The drive was launched by the Department of Pollution(DOE) in cooperation with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority(BRTA), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and voluntary organisations.

The drive would continue today at Darus Salam, Mirpur, the sources said.

During the drive, officials from DOE, BRTA, DMP and voluntary organisation Working for Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust were present.

Stickers and leaflets were distributed among people and drivers of different vehicles during the drive urging them to abide by the noise pollution act.

According to the Noise Pollution(control) Act, published in a gazette on September 7, 2006, use of sounds above 50 decibel within 100 meters of hospitals, educational institutions and residences are punishable offence.

WBB sources said they have found during the drive that due to indiscriminate honking by different vehicles the noise level at Shahbagh crossing was much above 50 decibels, which was punishable under law as the area contains two hospitals and nearby