Nainital, August 3: In a significant move to curb noise pollution, the administration of the picturesque city of Nainital, Uttarakhand, has declared Mall Road a ‘No Horn Zone.’ This regulation, effective from August 1, prohibits both tourists and locals from using horns while driving on this popular road. However, the closure of Lower Mall Road has shifted traffic pressure to Upper Mall Road, creating challenges for pedestrians and drivers alike.
Ramesh Joshi, president of the taxi union, highlighted that the ‘No Horn Zone’ extends from Tallital Dant to Mallital Rickshaw Stand. He expressed concerns that this rule could pose difficulties, especially for the elderly who frequently walk along the road. Without the use of horns, both drivers and pedestrians may face challenges navigating the busy area. With ongoing construction on Lower Mall Road, all traffic has been redirected to Upper Mall Road, leading to situations where drivers may need to alert pedestrians, but are unable to do so under the new regulation.
Historian Professor Ajay Rawat noted that with traffic currently concentrated on Upper Mall Road, the risk of accidents has increased. Given the influx of tourists and vehicles in Nainital, the use of horns remains crucial until Lower Mall Road is fully operational. He suggested that the rule should be reconsidered until the road is repaired, as tourists often disregard traffic norms and continue to use their horns.
Under the new regulations, local police are tasked with informing drivers about the rules and monitoring compliance. Any driver found using a horn in the restricted area will face penalties. The decision to designate Mall Road as a ‘No Horn Zone’ was made during a meeting chaired by the District Magistrate on July 21. Following this, the transport department, police, and municipality collaborated to inform taxi unions, local merchants, and drivers about the new regulations.
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