!['Essential service, no option,' NGT rejects plea against train horns [Read Order]](/secure/uploads/2023/04/lj_6159_a4f88570-8aa5-491a-a9c0-c7305d74aa2a.jfif)
NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has declined to entertain a complaint about noise pollution caused due to frequent blowing of horns by trains, saying that essential activities have to be conducted in absence of any other options.
"It is a matter of common knowledge that Railway operations serve a large number of population and generation of noise in their operations cannot be wished away. Horns are required to be blown as per applicable whistle code'," a green bench led by Chairman Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said.
It pointed out, while a noise free environment is necessary, but essential activities have to be conducted in absence of any other options.
A batch of residents of Ajmer in Rajasthan led by Ashok Malik approached the green panel contending that they were residents of Sundar Nagar, Subash Nagar, Gadi Malyan, Shivji Colony, Adarsh Nagar, Dhaula Bhatta, Kalyani Pura, Nehru Nagar and have been suffering due to noise pollution generated by the operation of trains by railways.
The applicants said that use of horn by the trains resulted in violation of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
The bench, which disposed of the matter, also comprised Judicial members Sudhir Agarwal, and Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert members Dr A Senthil Vel, and Dr Afroz Ahmad.
