The DoE was expecting to outlaw such loud horns in July after the Ministry Environment and Forest issued an order regarding noise pollution in April. As part of the crackdown vehicle owners were given a two-month deadline in May and June to remove their nuisance horns.

But now it seems the DoE wants ascertain the views of the general public before implementing the new rules.

"We thought the people ought to have the right to express their views on the issue since it affects them," commented a high official of DoE.

He said the department had circulated a draft of the pollution control rules in different newspapers in March. Besides, anybody could comment on it through its website.

The official said they had to do something to curb the excessive use of hydraulic horns, microphones, loud speakers, power generators and heavy machinery.

"Today noise pollution is not only becoming unbearable for the people it is doing great harm both physically and mentally," he added.

The proposed rules aim at banning continuous use of any loud speaker or sound amplifier for more than five hours. It also prohibits horns or amplifiers in clearly earmarked 'silent zones' near hospitals, educational institutions and court premises.

In such zones not more than 50 dBa during the day and 40 dBa at night would be permitted. On the other hand sound levels in residential areas have to be kept within 55 dBa in the daytime and 45 dBa at nights.

Noisy construction machinery would be allowed to operate according a strict timetable, say between 7 am to 7 pm.

Offenders can expect either paying a hefty fine of Tk 10,000 or spend six months behind bars under the draft rules.

The DoE has received positive feedback from 70 different organisations on its proposals to tackle noise pollution.

"We are now compiling all the comments and opinions. Hopefully these help us to finish the draft so that it can be sent to the Ministry of Environment and Forest for approval," said deputy director Abu Mohammad Nurul Alam Khan.