Online Desk  :  A 3-km area around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been launched as ‘Silent Zone’ on Tuesday, aiming to make the area honking-free. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change inaugurated the three kilometer area as ‘Silent zone’ officially at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority in Kurmitola, Dhaka. Addressing the event, Rizwana Hasan said to change the longstanding habit of honking, people will first be made aware, and then law will be enforced strictly, UNB reports.

Initially, the initiative will focus on key areas and then will be expanded to entire Dhaka city, and eventually, divisional cities will also be brought under the programme to curb noise pollution, she said. She added that the renewal of driving licenses will include a condition of prohibiting the use of horns. “A fine of Tk 500 will be imposed for the first offense. Mistakes will be reviewed during October and November, and from December, the fines will be strictly enforced,” she said.

The Advisor noted that noise pollution poses a serious threat to public health, leading to heart disease, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders. She thanked all involved in the initiative and expressed hope that similar programmes would be implemented in other parts of the country. Representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority, Dhaka North City Corporation, BRTA, Department of Environment, Bangladesh Air Force, and the Police were present. Additionally, representatives from NGOs such as Green Voice and CAPS, as well as students, journalists, and professionals from various fields, actively participated.