THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State government, along with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), will observe the International Noise Awareness Day as ‘No- Honking’ Day on April 26.
The IMA Kerala chapter will join the drive as part of its nationwide campaign against noise pollution, which is reportedly on the rise.
“The move aims to spread awareness on the impact of noise on health,” said Dr C John Panicker, National Initiative for Safe Sound (NISS) national convenor and IMA Thiruvananthapuram president.
The programme, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has been organised by the IMA in association with National Initiative for Safe Sound (NISS), Transport Department and Kerala Police.
On April 22, the IMA had launched a statewide roadshow ‘Silent Wheel- Horn Harthal’. “Apart from creating awareness, the campaign will raise voice against the indiscriminate use of loudspeakers,” Panicker said. Another issue is the continuous use of headphones and earphones which would lead to issues such as hearing loss.
A meeting of religious organisations has been called in Kozhikode, Thrissur and Kochi on Tuesday to create awareness on the ills of loudspeaker pollution.
As part of the observance, the Student Police Cadets would distribute pamphlets at all junctions. The IMA will also give away awards for religious institutions creating minimum ‘noise pollution’ during festivals, he said.
“Motorists should abstain from senseless honking. The people as well as the administration were not aware of the dangers of noise pollution,” Panicker said.
The Kerala Police Chief has also issued directions to all district police chiefs to take necessary steps to observe the day.
Health Minister K K Shailaja, Transport Minister Thomas Chandy, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala, DGP Loknath Behera, IMA state president Dr Pradeep Kumar and secretary Dr Samuel Koshy and former IMA national president Dr A Marthanda Pillai will be present.