Navi Mumbai residents demand raids on garages over modified bike silencers

The nuisance caused by two-wheelers fitted with modified silencers is growing by the day in Navi Mumbai. Cases of Bullets and other two-wheelers being fitted illegally with altered silencers and ridden loudly on the roads have risen. The deafening noise is disturbing residents' peace and noise pollution is becoming a serious problem.

The effect is felt most on Palm Beach Road and in Kharghar, Taloja and Airoli. Some riders deliberately rev the accelerator to produce a sound like firecrackers. The sudden loud noise startles people on the road. The elderly, small children and patients are especially affected.

Police periodically fine such riders. But residents complain that the same behaviour starts again after a few days, so the action does not have as much effect as it should.

Residents say the root of the problem lies in the illegal sale and fitting of silencers. It is alleged that some garage owners make modifications that violate the rules for profit. Residents therefore feel that acting only against those who ride on the road will not solve the problem.

There is a demand that Navi Mumbai Police inspect the city's two-wheeler repair centres. It is being asked that details of garages selling and fitting illegal silencers be gathered and those places be raided. Goods that violate the rules should be seized and the guilty dealt with under the law, the demand says.

Concerned citizens are also appealing to people to note down the numbers of two-wheelers making deafening noise on the road and complain to the police. They say that if action is taken against garage owners who fit illegal silencers as well as against riders, these practices can be curbed.

It is hoped that traffic police and the local administration will run a joint campaign to give Navi Mumbai residents relief from noise pollution. People are now watching how much attention the administration pays to the demand.

Navi Mumbai is known as a planned city. But with the rising number of vehicles, the nuisance of modified silencers is also growing, putting the city's peace at risk. Motorists need to follow traffic rules and also respect the peace of others. Residents believe the problem can be controlled if strict action is taken against garage owners who fit illegal silencers as well as against riders. People are waiting to see how far Navi Mumbai Police and the traffic department heed the demand.