(Harshita Kamal Pasari)
Surat : Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said he is planning to introduce a law that would require vehicle horns to sound like Indian musical instruments such as the flute, tabla, violin, and harmonium. The announcement was made during the 78th Foundation Year Celebration of Navbharat Times.
Gadkari said the idea is to make vehicle horns more pleasant to hear. He also emphasized the need to reduce air and noise pollution, pointing out that the transport sector contributes to 40% of the country’s air pollution. The government, he added, is promoting green and bio-fuel vehicles, including those running on methanol and ethanol.
Highlighting India’s economic and industrial growth, Gadkari noted that the Indian automobile sector has grown from ₹14 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹22 lakh crore in 2024, and that India has now overtaken Japan to become the third-largest automobile market in the world.
The view, however, has sparked mixed reactions from the public and the automobile industry.
Manish Chhalani, owner of Surat based Shree Lakshmi Motors and authorised dealer of Atul Auto Limited, commented: "It is certainly a great initiative to promote Indian classical music and preserve our cultural heritage. Integrating traditional sounds like the flute or tabla into everyday life can add a unique identity to our roads. However, from a practical standpoint, this may create more problems than it solves. With so many different instrument sounds, traffic could become confusing, and in emergencies, these musical horns may not alert people effectively. It’s important to balance culture with practicality."
Public opinion also reflected a similar sense of doubt. While some appreciated the cultural angle, others feared it would lead to more honking and even greater noise pollution. “It might make people use horns more often, which defeats the purpose,” said one concerned citizen. Others worried it could even lead to frustration toward classical music.
As discussions continue, the proposal has opened up a broader debate on how to blend culture with practical road safety.
