A guideline workshop on the implementation of the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025 was held under the Department of Environment's integrated and partnership-based project on noise pollution control.

The updated Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025 were issued on 24 November 2025, replacing the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006. To familiarise stakeholders with the revised rules, the workshop was organised on 14 December 2025 at the Department of Environment auditorium at 11:30am.

The workshop was attended by 60 traffic sergeants of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), five magistracy-authorised officials from BRTA, 10 magistracy-authorised officials from Dhaka North and South City Corporations, magistrates conducting regular mobile courts under the Department of Environment, and other relevant stakeholders.

Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan attended the workshop as the chief guest. Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan was present as a special guest, while Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Md Kamruzzaman NDC presided over the programme.

Addressing the traffic sergeants, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said joint campaigns would be launched with volunteers to control noise pollution, with the aim of making several designated silent zones noise-free. She said campaigns and enforcement would be carried out simultaneously in selected areas and that extensive media awareness activities would also be undertaken.

She further said a combined enforcement and awareness drive against unnecessary horn use would be launched from January and continued on a regular basis, stressing that reducing horn misuse would significantly ease noise pollution. She sought cooperation from all stakeholders in implementing the rules.

The workshop began with a welcome address by Project Director Farid Ahmed, followed by a presentation on the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025 by Siddhartha Shankar Kundu, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The presentation highlighted key changes, including the empowerment of police personnel under the updated rules.

Previously, police had no direct authority under the 2006 rules to take immediate action against noise pollution. Following consultations with stakeholders, police powers have now been incorporated into the 2025 rules.

Speaking on the issue, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) of DMP Md Anisur Rahman said managing traffic for a city of around two crore people with limited manpower was challenging, but traffic police continued to work tirelessly. He said with 980 traffic police now empowered under the rules, effective measures would be taken to control noise pollution in Dhaka.

University of Dhaka Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan thanked traffic sergeants for their continuous service under difficult conditions and stressed the importance of making environmental protection a shared social practice.

Chairing the workshop, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Md Kamruzzaman NDC thanked the participants and expressed hope that all concerned would actively support implementation of the updated rules. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Fahmida Khanam also spoke at the workshop.

At the event, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan presented a commemorative crest to the Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University for ensuring a noise-free environment during New Year's Eve celebrations on campus.

As part of the project, 50 sound level meters were handed over to Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan formally handed over one of the sound meters to Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md Anisur Rahman.

TBS / DOE / Corporate