Crackdown on honking near Dhaka airport begins, 94 cases filed on first day

Authorities filed 94 cases and fined violators a total of Tk 1,15,200 for honking in Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area today.

Five mobile courts, led by executive magistrates from the Department of Environment, BRTA, Civil Aviation, city corporation, and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), slapped fines on the first day of a special drive to enforce “Silent Zone” rules, in coordination with DMP’s Traffic‑Uttara division.

According to a DMP press release, its mobile court filed 58 cases and collected Tk 20,200 in fines, while the Traffic‑Uttara division filed 36 cases and imposed fines totalling Tk 95,000.

Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of DMP, said such operations will continue to enforce silent zone regulations in the airport area.

Earlier, on January 20, the DMP announced strict legal action against honking in the airport area starting January 25.

The airport zone and the 1.5 km road stretching north and south -- from Scholastica School to Hotel Le Méridien -- were declared a “Silent Zone” in September last year.

Other designated silent zones include Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan. Under the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006, honking in these areas is a punishable offence.