Patna: Taking a strict note of the rising noise pollution in state capital, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has banned the use of siren by VVIP and VIP escort vehicles.
Presiding over a home department review meeting on Monday, Kumar stressed on measures to contain noise pollution by blaring hooters of vehicles belonging to VIPs and proposed banning them.
However,the vehicles of governor, chief justice, ambulance and fire tenders have been exempted from the ban.
He also directed putting in place measures to end unnecessary blaring of horns by vehicles.
Earlier this month, Patna high court also sought reply from state government in reponse to a petition complaining “excessive noise pollution” in the state capital.
"The CM expressed concern over rise in sound pollution and asked the police and officials of transport,environment and forest departments to launch an awareness campaign among vehicle owners and drivers about the growing noise pollution and request them to avoid unnecessary use of horns," a Bihar govt. official told Times of India.
"The decision was taken in view of a number of VVIPs and VIPs using hooters even while crossing silence zones such as hospitals and educational institutions," sources told TOI.
Expressing concern at the rise in incidents of organised crime, he directed the police to take steps to contain them as the state government stood for rule of law.
Lack of resources will not come in the way of crackdown on organised crime and police department will be equipped with latest facilities for effectively dealing with the menace, he assured and proposed installation of CCTV cameras at important points in sensitive places and towns.
He asked jail authorities to take steps to strengthen internal monitoring and emphasised use of technology to track movement of visitors and goods carried by them.
Referring to the killing of two engineers of a private road construction company at Darbhanga, Kumar asked police to take action against those involved. On shortage of manpower in the department, Kumar directed it to hire retired CBI officers at the level of superintendent of police and take police officers on deputation against vacancies till recruitment.
(with PTI inputs)
