On October 21, 2025, the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) in Kochi undertook a highly visible and somewhat controversial action by publicly destroying hundreds of seized high-decibel air horns using a road roller. This event took place in multiple locations across the city, including near the Ernakulam KSRTC bus stand, Paravur, and Mattanchery, and was carried out in the presence of the media. The move has since sparked a debate about its intent and the broader implications for environmental and traffic regulation enforcement.
The crackdown on the use of high-decibel air horns by vehicles was initiated following directives from Kerala’s Transport Minister, K.B. Ganesh Kumar. The minister’s decision came after he was reportedly irritated by aggressive and impatient honking from a heavy-vehicle driver during a recent public event. In response, he instructed MVD officials to intensify efforts to confiscate illegal air horns from vehicles and destroy them publicly as a strong deterrent against noise pollution on the roads.
The MVD’s action, however, has not been without criticism. One prominent voice against the move was Congress leader Jyothikumar Chamakkala, who had contested against Minister Ganesh Kumar in the 2021 Assembly elections. Chamakkala raised concerns that the road roller used for crushing the air horns did not possess a valid pollution certificate. He argued that this oversight could result in air pollution, ironically in the name of combating sound pollution. This line of criticism highlights the delicate balance authorities must maintain when enforcing regulations related to environmental and public health issues.
In defense of their actions, the MVD clarified that the destruction of seized illegal items, including air horns, is a standard procedure and is legally supported. An official from the department explained that the law does not prohibit the destruction of confiscated illegal goods. The public destruction of air horns was likely intended to send a powerful message to drivers and the general public about the seriousness of the offense. Previously, the MVD had kept seized items in storage for some time before destroying them, but this visible act of destruction was meant to reinforce the government’s commitment to tackling noise pollution on the roads.
The official also addressed criticisms that only parts of the air horns, specifically the pipes, were destroyed, while other components remained installed on the vehicles. They explained that removing the entire air horn device on the spot is impractical and could potentially damage the vehicle. Therefore, vehicle owners are instructed to have the devices properly removed at authorized workshops. This approach aims to ensure that vehicles are not harmed during enforcement actions and that illegal modifications are fully corrected in a controlled environment.
Regarding the specific concern about the road roller’s pollution certificate, the MVD downplayed the issue, stating that vehicle owners found in violation of regulations are typically given a grace period of seven days to produce valid pollution certificates. This suggests that the department views the use of the road roller as part of routine operations and expects compliance with pollution norms to be ensured through standard administrative processes.
The legal basis for the MVD’s crackdown on high-decibel air horns stems from a 2007 circular issued following a High Court order. This order clarified that air horns are not legally permitted under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Consequently, vehicle owners using such devices are in violation of established motor vehicle regulations. However, as noted by advocate Rilgin V. George, those whose air horns are seized and destroyed still have the right to challenge the action in court. This legal recourse ensures that the enforcement measures remain subject to judicial review, protecting citizens’ rights while upholding regulatory standards.
This episode in Kochi reflects a broader challenge faced by traffic and transport authorities across India: balancing effective enforcement of regulations with public acceptance and environmental considerations. Noise pollution from vehicles is a persistent issue in many Indian cities, contributing to health problems and general discomfort among urban populations. High-decibel air horns, often used excessively, exacerbate this problem. By taking a firm stance against their use, Kerala’s Transport Ministry aims to improve urban living conditions and promote responsible driving behavior.
However, the method of enforcement—publicly crushing seized air horns with heavy machinery—raises questions about the best strategies to achieve compliance without unintended negative consequences. The criticism regarding the lack of a pollution certificate for the road roller is indicative of the complexities involved in implementing regulatory measures. Authorities must ensure that actions taken to reduce one form of pollution do not inadvertently increase another.
Furthermore, the political dimension of this issue cannot be overlooked. The fact that