The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced that motorists face fines of up to 10,000 BDT or up to three months in prison for honking in five designated "Silent Zones" in the capital.

These strict measures will be enforced starting this Sunday, January 25.

The enforcement covers Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan.

Enforcement of "Silent Zones"
According to a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner SM Sajjat Ali, the crackdown follows the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules of 2006.

The targeted areas were previously designated as silent zones to combat the city's chronic noise issues:

Airport Corridor: The 1.5-kilometer stretch from Scholastica School to Hotel Le Méridien.

Residential & Commercial Hubs: The entirety of Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan.

Joint Task Force Operations
To ensure compliance, the DMP’s Traffic Division will collaborate with several agencies, including the Department of Environment, BRTA, Civil Aviation Authority, and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

Special mobile courts led by executive magistrates will be deployed to monitor traffic and parking areas. Under the new enforcement drive, any vehicle found honking within these boundaries will be subject to immediate legal action.

"The law was announced earlier, but from January 25, it will be strictly implemented," said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman. "Anyone breaking the rules will face legal consequences."

The initiative aims to provide relief to city dwellers from the persistent public health hazard of excessive noise pollution.