KATHMANDU: Traffic Police have tightened grip on the ‘no-horn’ rule for vehicles operating in the Kathmandu Valley, except in emergency situation.

The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD) has taken this step in view of the growing sound pollution in the Valley.

The Division stated it has intensified stringent action in enforcing the no-horn rule, citing that too much sound pollution resulted in hearing loss, increased blood pressure, increased chances of heart attack, paralysis, negative effects on respiratory system, loss of recalling power and as it affected the sick, minors, senior citizens and the pregnant women the most.

After it intensified the implementation of no-horn rule, the MTPD took action against 188 vehicles on Monday. MTPD chief, Senior Superintendent of Police, Bhuum Prasad Dhakal said they have become stringent in the enforcement of the no-horn rile taking into consideration the health of the Valley denizens.

According to him, the Division is mulling banning the import of vehicles producing noise above the permitted level stipulated in the National Standard Related to Sound, 2069 BS.

The MTPD had declared the Kathmandu Valley as no-horn area from April 14, 2017. The Division has reprimanded and penalized 43,623 vehicles blowing horn unnecessarily so far.