Unchecked use of pressure horns may cause hearing loss among residents in Ludhiana

Even as the city roads receive high levels of noise, mainly by the constant use of pressure horns right from early morning till late at night daily, it seems the concerned authorities are least bothered to stop it.

There is also no check on roads surrounded by schools, hospitals, senior citizens’ homes and several residential areas, despite having sign boards stating ‘no horn zone’.

Doctors say if the authorities continue to be sluggish to address this concern, the issue of rising ear problems among locals along with traffic cops on duty will continue to soar.

“We have done detailed research on the rising ear problems in the city and the biggest culprit is constant exposure to the noise of pressure horns. Those living right besides the busy roads are affected more and it is a fact that every day, many new ear patients knock on an ear specialist’s door, which is why the use of pressure horns must be discouraged on a serious note,” said Dr Manish Munjal, ENT specialist from Dayanad Medical Christian College and Hospital (DMCH).

He added, “Those who have a habit of using the horn too much, their right ear gets affected more and same goes for those who travel daily, especially by buses, as they use these horns on a regular basis. However, with constant exposure, you never know when the other ear may also give up. Traffic cops on duty should also not ignore the issue as they are in surrounded by such noise for several hours.”

Kanwardeep Singh, a bank employee at Gill Road who daily comes to work from his home town Malerkotla by bus, said he has been consulting an ear doctor for the last three months as he feels there is a blockage in his ear.

“When I told my doctor that I commute daily by a bus and then also work in an office close to a noisy road, he said it this exposure to noise daily that is affecting my ears. Although I have begun with medicines and some ear exercises, these have been of little help so far. I wish my environment was noise free,” said Singh, suggesting that there should be awareness drives in the city on the harm of excessive noise.

WHY NO CHALLANS, ASK LOCALS

Many residents say, “If traffic cops can issue challan for not wearing helmets, seat belts, overloading, and more, then why not on pressure horns?”

“Visit places like Chaura Bazar or roundabouts at Gill road or Bharat Nagar and you will note that pressure horns are used the most there due to traffic chaos. There may be traffic police on duty, but no one stops this nuisance. Had they been slapping challans on pressure horns, the drivers of these vehicles would be scared to use them,” said Pawandeep Singh, a shopkeeper from Chaura Bazar.

Meanwhile, assistant commissioner of police (traffic) Gurdev Singh said, “It’s not that we do not slap challans against pressure horns. Since January, we have issued nearly 160 pressure horn challans in the city, which also includes several buses. Last year, we slapped 600 challans on pressure horns. We also ensure to keep a tab on roads where schools and hospitals are located.”

FORMER POLICE CHIEF WANTED TO MAKE CITY ‘HORN-FREE’

Former police commissioner Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, before his recent transfer from the city, had said he would make Ludhiana a ‘horn-free’ city from June onwards, after coming up with various ideas.

On being asked from the present police commissioner RN Dhoke if he wants to continue with the plan, he said, “It’s a good idea but its results can’t be achieved overnight, which is why I can hold meetings on discouraging the pressure horn culture. May be meetings with bus drivers who use the most, and besides this, several other initiatives can be chalked out.”