790 no-honk challans in a month, school & hosp zones worst-hit
Times of India | 14 January 2026
Kolkata: Even as the enhanced fines got introduced more than three years ago to curb avoidable noise on roads, unnecessary honking continues to remain a headache for Kolkata traffic police and citizens, adding to noise pollution.
The traffic wing prosecuted more than 790 motorists in the city for honking without a reason over the past one month, all of them in no-honking zones around hospitals and schools. On average, 600-odd no-honking cases are slapped each month, claimed cops.
Exactly a month after KP launched a special no-honking drive outside hospital and school zones in the city, Lalbazar now made public its resolve to extend it across the city as a regular feature across extended areas.
The raids will be carried out not just by the anti-pollution cell but also the special raid section. Silent zones such as schools — the worst hit — will remain the primary focus of these city-wide drives. The cops have sought citizens' help for tackling the menace.
"Contrary to belief, it is 2-wheeler riders who were found honking more in most pockets of the city," said an officer.
The anti-pollution cell organised the raids in 85% of the cases. Among the other guards, the Sealdah traffic guard organised raids in the College Street silent zone. Stray cases were registered by a few other guards, too.
Action is being taken under the West Bengal Motor Vehicle Rules and the Motor Vehicles Act.
"All motorists caught in these acts are being asked to cough up an enhanced fine of Rs 2,000 each," said cops.
Among the most honking-prone zones in the city, besides the Sealdah-Amherst Street-College Street-MG Road educational institute zone, are the Hastings area and the Taratala-Majerhat area. Shyambazar and the Park Street-Park Circus zones too reported many violations this year, both of which have multiple schools in their areas.