Shillong, March 27: Opposition Congress legislator from Mylliem Ronnie V Lyngdoh on Monday urged the government to prohibit vehicles including army vehicles from the use of honking devices which are beyond the permitted decibel limit with the Shillong agglomeration area.

Expressing his concern while raising supplementary queries in the Assembly, Lyngdoh said noise pollution is affecting the health being of the people.

He also requested the transport department to ensure rule against use of honking devices beyond the permissible limit also made applicable in the Upper Shillong area where heavy vehicles are plying and are honking, thereby disturbing the sleep of people residing in the area.

The MLA also alleged that even army vehicles are using honking devices beyond the permissible limit.

Lyngdoh also requested the department to prevent people from altering the silencers of their vehicles, adding some youth are also making the road in Upper Shillong as a racing track.

In his reply, deputy chief minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the department has been receiving complaints against the matter and officers are on the field to check. He said violators are being fine and also seized the honking devices. According to him, 73 cases were registered during 2021-22.

He added that the department is also trying its best to monitor against the altered silencers.