The Air (Pollution & Control) Act, 1981, defines noise as an air pollutant. Noise pollution is thus an important issue and having comparable adverse effects. It is well known that transportation systems cause air pollution chiefly through vehicular emissions. However, they also pollute the environment in other ways, and one such manner is through noise. The Air (Pollution & Control) Act, 1981, defines noise as an air pollutant. Noise pollution is thus an important issue and having comparable adverse effects. Transportation systems especially in cities have been riddled with problems of congestion, pollution, and sustainability. While air pollution is certainly a hazard globally, transport systems generate excessive noise which causes health hazards. The issue of noise pollution is exacerbated by the congested cities and correspondingly congested roads. With the severity of effects ranging from stress to cardiovascular diseases, noise pollution control becomes an important factor in public policy. Existing regulations as part of larger legislations indicate that noise regulation is a result of multiple bodies. A more robust regulatory framework is required to target the issue of noise in our cities.

Rule 119 under the CMVR provide guidelines for the horns that have to be mandatorily installed in vehicles. The issue of noise is addressed here with prohibition on multi-toned horns and those that have shrill or harsh sounds. It also requires vehicles to be fitted with silencers to muffle the voice from the exhaust engines. But the most important provision is that of requiring vehicles to meet the noise standards as set out under Environment Protection Rules 1986 (EPR). Part E in Schedule VI of EPR lays down the noise limits at the manufacturing stage of all passenger and commercial vehicles, ranging from 81 dB to 90 dB.

The regulations and the regulatory practices of bodies aim at reducing noise pollution for the well-being of all. However,what has been noticed are the lacunae in provisions which do not chart out a clear mechanism for regulation of noise since multiple regulatory bodies are at play, resulting in multiplicity of notifications.