Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, stated that to change the long-standing habit of honking, people will first be made aware, and then strict enforcement of the law will follow. Initially, the initiative will focus on key areas, then expand to cover the entire Dhaka city, and eventually, divisional cities will also implement measures to curb noise pollution. She remarked that starting the initiative itself is a success.

She made these remarks on Tuesday, October 1, at an event held at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority in Kurmitola, Dhaka. At the event, the 3-kilometer area around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport was declared a ‘Silent Zone’, and the program to make the area horn-free was officially inaugurated.

The Advisor further mentioned that her vehicle does not use a horn and expressed hope that all drivers will be encouraged to avoid honking. She added that the renewal of driving licenses will include a condition prohibiting the use of horns. A fine of BDT 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.

The Advisor noted that noise pollution poses a serious threat to public health, leading to heart disease, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders. In a city like Dhaka, continuous honking is reducing people’s hearing ability. Therefore, the ‘Silent Zone’ program is a groundbreaking step toward reducing noise pollution. She thanked everyone involved in the initiative and expressed hope that similar programs would be implemented in other parts of the country.

Among the attendees were Nasrin Jahan, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Tapan Kumar Biswas, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change; Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director General of the Department of Environment; and Air Vice Marshal Md. Manzur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, along with representatives of various organizations.

A colorful rally, led by the Advisor, was also held during the event.

Key organizations participating in the initiative include the Civil Aviation Authority, Dhaka North City Corporation, BRTA, Department of Environment, Bangladesh Air Force, and the Police. Additionally, representatives from NGOs such as Green Voice and CAPS, as well as students, journalists, and professionals from various fields, actively participated. Later, the Advisor addressed questions from journalists in a discussion session.