No Honking: Journey continues

The project initiated against honking and other noise pollution on the roads picks up steam.

We have started a community participatory project aimed at reducing alarming noise pollution levels in Bangalore. We have arranged for an awareness campaign and press conference this Saturday and we would like to invite you for the same.

Street demo/campaign on Saturday, 15th November 2008: 10 AM to 11 AM near Cubbon Park at the Kasturba Road Signal (Jewels de Paragon)
Press conference from 12.30 PM to 1 PM at the Bangalore press club.

To all those who are planning to join us in our demo, we request that you bring a poster carrying slogans (a crisp and effective message) on noise pollution. These slogans were used in our first campaign, so you could come up with something different too.

1) BENGALURU IS GOING DEAF, STOP HONKING!!!
2) AUTOS AND BIKES, FIX YOUR SILENCERS AND SAVE YOUR HEALTH
3) Shabdamalinya niyanytrisi janarogya hechhisi
4) Shabdaniyanthraka galannu upayogisi shabdamalinyavannu taggisi
5) Anapekshitha shabda anarogyakke aahvana
6) Athiyada shabdagala havali nemmadiya balige kodali
7) Autorikshawgala arbhata niyanthrakke sigade paredaata
8) Ahabdagalalli irali hitha mitha moodali jaagruthiya aveeratha

Our primary goal is to reduce noise pollution levels caused by honking and autos/bikes that remove or tamper with their silencers. Our approach is to:

1) Build awareness on the harmful health effects of noise pollution amongst auto drivers and encourage them to fix their silencers.

2) Build awareness amongst schools (we need more volunteers to do this, so if you could let us know your interest, we would get back to you with more details), Bangalore residents and taxi drivers on the negative effects of noise pollution on general well-being and health.

3) Talk to regulatory authorities ( if anybody has contacts, please volunteer to go and talk to them. we would get back to you with more details on this aspect) to implement laws on noise pollution.

This is an opportunity for citizens of Bengaluru to make a difference. To make "Bengaluru – A Noise Free Zone". Those who are inspired may join the group mailing list.

I had outlined the idea of this campaign in an earlier article in Citizen Matters. The Times of India picked up on the story and published an article. My gratitude and special thanks to Citizen Matters.

Prior to Citizen Matters media mention, it wasn’t an easy job when I started out. I approached ‘Manipal, Command & Magdum Hospitals’ on Old Airport Road (Murugesh Palya). I was asked, "Are you from any NGO/organisation/R&D lab"? "What does it mean to you"? "Why are only you taking it up"? "Can you give any supporting letters"?

I wanted to do video interviews with children, teenagers, IT employees, government officials, auto drivers, bus drivers, travel services employees, senior citizens, traffic police etc. When I approached a few residents on Wind Tunnel Road in Murugesh Palya, 5th Cross area, they too asked, "What’s the profit to you"? "When the government and traffic police can’t do anything, how can you cause a change"? "Don’t you have work"? "I don’t have time for an interview"!…

It was daunting. But it was a way to learn how to be unreasonable, to stand up for the cause no matter what. I managed to interview five people. (Video clip links here)

Subsequently I wrote to many media publications – Citizen Matters, The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Deccan Chronicle, Times Of India, DNA, Bangalore Mirror, City Plus, etc. Citizen Matters has been positive and supportive from the beginning. The Hindu and TOI considered the cause and were looking for events to be hosted.

I did not have active and committed volunteers at the time to support the cause. Some people used to just listen and some others didn’t even bother to acknowledge or respond. There were also a few people who laughed and thought I must be crazy!

The Landmark education course I had taken up played a vital role in not giving up. That’s when my article was published here. That’s how the journey began and it continues.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Citizen groups rally for sustainable mobility ahead of Maharashtra elections

The Urban Mobility Charter demands improved public transport, road safety measures and pedestrian-friendly policies.

Maharashtra is at a critical juncture in its urban development. As cities expand and populations grow more diverse, the state's transportation infrastructure struggles to keep pace. Rising pollution, worsening congestion, and increasing social inequities have escalated from issues of inefficiency to a full-blown crisis. As the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections approach, these mobility challenges require urgent action. Also Read: Local and ethical candidates only, Govandi citizens tell political parties ahead of elections To address this, Parisar, Waatavaran, and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), with support from the Sustainable Mobility Network (SMN), have co-drafted the Maharashtra Urban Mobility Charter…

Similar Story

Walking Project’s manifesto: Ensure better roads and pedestrian safety in Mumbai

Keeping the upcoming assembly elections in mind, Walking Project has released a manifesto for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

According to the 2016 Comprehensive Mobility Plan by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, 51% of trips in Mumbai are by walking. Notably, 72.5% of trips to educational institutions and 60% of trips involving public transport start and end with walking. Despite these figures, Mumbai's infrastructure is not pedestrian-friendly, and road safety remains a significant concern. Recent projects like the coastal road and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link prioritise cars over pedestrians. Elections and pedestrians' needs With the assembly elections approaching, the Walking Project, an NGO that works towards creating a safe, convenient, and enjoyable walking experience, has released its…