Ravi Kalra, popularly known as the ‘No Honking Man of India,’ running the Earth Saviours Foundation is on a mission to involve citizens, government and the police to get rid of this problem, which is much more than just a nuisance.

Talking to The Statesman, he said, “We will organise "Do Not Honk" campaign in the coming week in Gurugram. We have sought assistance from the Gurugram traffic police in our campaign. Their support will help in lessening the stress created by noise pollution. Our observation says the situation in Gurugram is even worse than Delhi. Gurugram residents are more stressed for the reason that the use of pressure horns and unnecessary honking on most of the main roads surrounding residential areas is allowed in the city.”

In the campaign, about 100 volunteers of the Foundation along with employees of a major horn manufacturing company will gather at several peak points and will distribute pamphlets. During the campaign, volunteers will also paste “Do Not Honk” stickers on the back bumper of passing by cars and other vehicles. Such campaigns are being organized by the NGO since 2008 to educate people with the ill effects of unnecessary vehicular honking. “In India unnecessary vehicular honking is the main reason for noise.

The problem is worst at traffic signals where drivers start honking without waiting for the signal to turn green or for traffic to move. Drivers show no respect to the law that prohibits the use of horn at traffic signals and other silent zones, such as areas near hospitals, schools, religious places and residential area. Vehicular honking in cities has reached an alarming level and contributes about 70% of the noise pollution in our environment,” said Kalra. “Most of the drivers try to release their frustration and tension by blowing horns, possibly due to lack of awareness regarding the negative effects of noise but most likely it is because of the lack of civic sense.

Gurugram have busy road and we are always disturbed because of the continuous blowing of horn 24X7,” said Amit, a local resident. The volunteers will also educate people about the ill-effects of honking and said noise pollution due to horns causes severe headache, high blood pressure and hearing problems. Kalra said the NGO also intends to host joint workshops with the traffic department to educate truck and school bus drivers who use pressure horns.