The previous ban including the VIP roads between the stretch of Sonargaon intersection and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medial University intersection has now been extended to the Airport Road from Shaheed Jahangir Gate to Uttara and Abdullahpur, from Kemal Ataturk Avenue up to Phoenix Bhaban via Gulshan-1 and 2 roads, from Gabtoli to Azimpur via Dhanmondi Russell Square, from Bijoy Sarani to Mohammadpur Traffic Office, from Hotel Sheraton to Kakrail intersection, from Matsya Bhaban to Rainbow crossing, from Science Laboratory to Matsya Bhaban, and from Matsya Bhaban to Golapshah Mazar via Old High Court intersection.

"Honking is completely prohibited in these streets, unless of course it is absolutely necessary," said Jashim Uddin, Joint Commissioner of the traffic department of DMP.

"Our prime goal here is to free city streets from noise pollution by creating public awareness, and consequently eliminate traffic jam from the city streets," he added.

According to traffic sources, use of horns will be strictly monitored by on duty traffic enforcers and offenders will be penalised. The offender will pay a fine of Tk 200 under the clause 139 of Motor Vehicle Act along with additional penalties.

Although the authorities' prior attempts to prohibit the use of horns in city streets fell short of expectations due to the lack of exposure and public awareness, officials from the traffic department of DMP expressed their optimism about gradually transforming Dhaka streets into a noise pollution free zone.

According to sources from the traffic department of DMP, undercover traffic officials will also be present on the streets to assist on duty officers to monitor the proceedings and implement the laws effectively.

"We have plans to deploy undercover traffic officers and additional traffic enforcers from other parts of the country to enforce the law," said Jashim Uddin, Joint Commissioner, traffic department, DMP.

While the authorities continue to enhance their efforts to create public awareness from excessive use of horns, a great number of motorists in the city still remain unaware of this sudden implementation of the law. This list includes thousands of drivers.

Most of these chauffeurs would simply go on a honking spree just to avoid collision with other vehicles namely the non-motorised vehicles.

"Most of the drivers in the city have little training and feeble educational backgrounds, therefore they would simply go through a honking spree if they find another vehicle in front of them," said Jahangir Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner, traffic department, DMP (west).

"As keeping the car in a good shape is my responsibility, I will be held accountable for even the tiniest of scratches in the car. It is virtually impossible to securely drive in this city without using the horn," said Moajjem Hossain, a car chauffeur from Badda.

However, traffic officials believe that honking would not be required in these horn-free streets, as non-motorised vehicles such as rickshaws have already been banned there.

"I understand that chauffeurs have to use horns to keep rickshaws and other non-motorised vehicles and pedestrians away from their cars, but as the streets are rickshaw-free I don't see the need of honking anymore," said Jahangir Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the traffic department of DMP (West).

"We don't really have any big campaigns going on to create public awareness against the use of horns, all we have are small signs and banners placed throughout the streets," said an on-duty traffic sergeant from Sonargaon intersection.

According to officials from the traffic department of DMP, gradually more streets will be brought under the banner of horn-free zones.