Mumbai: The residents of Mahim have initiated a campaign against the menace of noise pollution from traffic on Wednesday. The ‘Do not honk campaign’ by citizens group along with the traffic police in Mahim area, has urged bike riders and car drivers to reduce unnecessary honking. The group has also highlighted the impact of incessant honking on health.

Tired of being subjected to constant noise pollution on the busy Lady Jamshedji Road, Mahim resident groups like the ALM Dargah Street and Cadell Road ALM recently got together and carried out a no-honking campaign outside St Michael church at 4pm. Holding placards, the residents requested motorists to avoid honking. Traffic inspector and constables from the Mahim traffic branch accompanied the group to create awareness on the streets.

“Motorists should understand how irritating and harmful unnecessary honking can be and should have some discipline regarding usage of horns, especially in silence zones. The government should help by having regulations at the manufacturing level for horns,” said Irfan Machiwala, an activist and Mahim resident.

With an aim to inculcate a sense of discipline among motorists, the resident group used banners and spoke to commuters about the campaign. “All that honking does is trouble cops posted on the streets and disturb pedestrians trying to cross the road. Honking is also responsible for road accidents as it affects the concentration level of motorists. Traffic policemen have eight-hour long shifts at signals and are exposed to continuous honking the entire time. Police don't have enough manpower to deal with issues like honking as they are occupied with investigation into criminal offences and bandobast duties,” added Mr. Machiwala.

The group has been campaigning since the last two years in places like Mahim, Dadar Sena Bhavan and the JJ Flyover in South Mumbai. Residents have also approached Awaaz Foundation, an NGO working towards curbing noise pollution in the city.