International Noise Awareness Day Observed in Faridpur with Action Against Horn Pollution

International Noise Awareness Day was observed in Faridpur on Wednesday as part of the “Integrated and Partnership Project” to combat noise pollution.

A discussion meeting was held at the Technical Training Center in the suburban area to mark the occasion. Chaired by Sayeed Anwar, Deputy Director of the Faridpur Environment Department, the event featured Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahmudul Hasan as the chief guest. Other notable speakers included Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Meshkatul Jannat Rabeya, Principal Engineer Md. Akhtaruzzaman, District Education Officer Bishnu Pad Ghoshal, and Traffic Inspector Md. Khurshid Alam Sikder.

The speakers highlighted that noise pollution has become a "silent killer," with excessive vehicle horns and the unregulated use of microphones threatening public hearing, mental health, and general quality of life. They emphasized that the day’s primary goal is to foster public awareness and trigger effective prevention measures.

Following the discussion, a mobile court conducted a drive at the Badarpur-Saltha intersection on the Faridpur-Magura highway. Led by Executive Magistrates Nuzhat Tabassum, Deepta Chakraborty, Dev Kumar Pal, and S. M. Mahbub Bin Bashed, the court penalized seven vehicles for using banned hydraulic horns. A total of Tk 4,500 in fines was collected, and 11 hydraulic horns were seized.

Inspector Md. Jihad Hossain of the Department of Environment served as the prosecutor during the drive.