The Secretariat and its surrounding areas have been declared sound pollution free zone.

The declaration came as the authorities have imposed ban on honking in the areas in a bid to prevent sound pollution.   

The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with its Minister Shahab Uddin in the chair at the Secretariat on November 25.

The ministry formed a 25-member committee to implement the decision.

As a part of making the capital free from sound pollution, the surrounding areas of the secretariat and its adjoining areas Zero Point, Paltan intersection and Secretariat Link road will be regarded as “silent zone” from today as no vehicle will be allowed to blow horn, BSS reports quoting a press release.

According to Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995, if anyone violates this ban, the offender will get maximum one-month imprisonment or fine maximum of Tk 5,000 or both for violating the restriction.

But the punishment can be extended with maximum six months imprisonment or fine maximum Taka 10,000 or both awards for recapitulating the same offence.