India's Pursuit of Decibels: Louder Horns in Urban Chaos

In Mumbai, India, amid the dense humidity, the ever-present blare of traffic is just as significant.

The soundscape of the streets is saturated with honks—drivers sound their horns at pedestrians, other vehicles, and particularly at traffic lights, in attempts to either speed them up or express impatience.

A Culture of Constant Honking

An informal count conducted by NPR at a busy intersection found an average of 27 horn sounds in a single minute. This cacophony is part and parcel of what Mumbai traffic constable Vikas Rahane calls the ordinary level, which intensifies during peak evening hours from 5 to 8 p.m.

Rahane mentions that the noise is so constant and overwhelming that it disrupts sleep, sometimes even affecting his colleagues.

The Struggle to Enforce Honking Regulations

While Indian traffic laws do allow penalties for excessive honking—fines can reach up to $25—enforcement is feeble. According to traffic officer Subhash Shinde, maintaining order on Mumbai's chaotic streets often leaves little room for focusing on noise violations.

Noise Pollution: A Growing Concern

A study from 2019 reveals that Mumbai's ambient noise level averages around 80 decibels, akin to enduring the continuous hum of a vacuum cleaner. This far exceeds the World Health Organization's suggestion of a 55-decibel cap.

Despite noise being a universal urban issue, in India, the belief that driving without honking is impossible adds complexity. Sumaira Abdulali of the Awaaz Foundation highlights how pervasive horn use is seen as necessary, although it often fails to achieve its intended effect.

The Horn Marketplace: Louder is Better

In the CST Road market in Mumbai, hundreds of shops crammed into a half-mile stretch sell increasingly louder vehicle horns. Shopkeeper Noor Mohammed notes rising demand for 'pom pom' horns, which emit more powerful sounds than standard models.

Dawood Karim Mansouri, a veteran horn vendor, observes that the popularity of extra-loud horns has spiked as drivers seek to pierce through the din of the city.

The Industry Adapting to Noise Demands

Gagan Choudhary, who runs the Gaadify automobile website, explains that vehicle manufacturers are responding to these demands. More bass-heavy horns are becoming common as they cut through in-cabin noises of conversations and music.

Auto companies like Mercedes-Benz have acknowledged the special role of horns in Indian driving scenarios, adjusting designs to prolong horn durability.

Loud Horns Do Not Equate to Safer Roads

Despite these adaptations for louder and more durable horns, they have not improved road safety outcomes. Over 150,000 fatalities occur annually from road incidents in India.

Imagined Solutions and a Call for Action

At one point, India’s transport minister proposed switching vehicle horns to sounds of classical Indian instruments to reduce auditory distraction. However, environmentalists like Abdulali argue this would only complicate noise issues.

The path forward, she insists, involves recognizing noise as a public health problem and implementing stricter regulations to mitigate it. Until then, Abdulali pledges to continue her advocacy, hoping her messages rise above the disruptive clamor.