Loud Air horns seized from 11 buses in Mettupalayam

Regional Transport Department officials seized loud air horns fitted in 11 buses and imposed a total fine of Rs.1.10 lakh during a surprise inspection conducted at Mettupalayam bus stand on Friday. According to officials, complaints were received from the public that several government and private buses operating in Mettupalayam were using high-decibel air horns, causing severe noise pollution and inconvenience to residents and commuters. Based on the complaints, officials of the Regional Transport Department and Police Department jointly conducted a special inspection at the Mettupalayam bus stand. The inspection was carried out under the leadership of Mettupalayam Regional Transport Officer Sathyakumar and DSP Bhaskaran. Officials checked the horns fitted in all government and private buses arriving at the bus stand. During the inspection, authorities found that 11 buses had been fitted with excessively loud air horns in violation of norms. The horns were immediately removed and seized. A fine of Rs.10,000 each was imposed on nine private buses and two government buses for causing public nuisance through noise pollution. Officials collected a total penalty amount of Rs.1.10 lakh.