Tired of the harsh, blaring horns that flood Indian roads every day? Relief might be on the horizon. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has proposed a groundbreaking new law that could swap out the traditional loud vehicle horns for melodious sounds inspired by Indian classical instruments such as the tabla, flute, violin, and harmonium.
At a recent public event, Gadkari shared his vision of transforming how traffic sounds in India. “I am planning to make a law that horns of all vehicles should be in Indian musical instruments so that it is pleasant to hear — flute, tabla, violin, harmonium,” he stated.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle noise pollution and reduce the daily stress experienced by commuters. By integrating familiar, soothing musical tones, the government aims to create a more harmonious traffic environment.
Gadkari also addressed the larger issue of pollution caused by the transport sector. He emphasized that it contributes nearly 40% of the country’s air pollution. To combat this, the government is actively encouraging the use of green and bio-fuel-powered vehicles, including those that run on methanol and ethanol.
Additionally, he highlighted India’s growing strength in the global automotive industry. According to Gadkari, India now earns the highest export revenue from two-wheelers and cars. The nation’s automobile sector, once valued at ₹14 lakh crore in 2014, has surged to ₹22 lakh crore today. With this growth, India has become the third-largest automobile market in the world, surpassing Japan and now ranking behind only the United States and China.
Concluding his address with a touch of humor, Gadkari also mentioned the challenges faced by the media industry. He noted that managing a newspaper has become particularly difficult in the current climate, with media houses relying heavily on advertisements for survival.
While the idea of tabla and flute horns may sound whimsical, it reflects a serious effort to reshape India’s traffic culture and reduce environmental stressors—one honk at a time.
Related Topics
- Zak Starkey Returns to The Who After Brief Departure, Pete Townshend Confirms
- How Ian Anderson Became Rock’s Iconic One-Legged Flautist
- Jack Moore Reflects on Musical Lessons Learned from His Father, Gary Moore
