A 'sound' decision: New law being mulled for car horns on Indian roads, announces Gadkari

The rules for using car horns on Indian roads could soon undergo a major change, if Highways minister Nitin Gadkari has his way.

Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, announced on April 21 his intention to introduce legislation that would mandate the use of sounds from Indian musical instruments as vehicle horns. Speaking at the 78th Foundation Year Celebration of Navbharat Times, Gadkari announced that he was considering a law that would require horns on all vehicles to produce sounds from Indian musical instruments, creating a more pleasant auditory experience.

Instruments like the flute, tabla, violin, and harmonium could be included, he said.

Gadkari highlighted the significant impact of the transport sector on air quality, pointing out that it is responsible for 40 per cent of the country's air pollution.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the Modi administration is actively endorsing vehicles that utilise green and biofuels, such as methanol and ethanol.

The minister emphasised India's position in the global automobile industry, noting that the country has become the third-largest automobile market in the world, trailing only the United States and China. He said that India generates substantial revenue from the export of two-wheeled vehicles and cars.

It may be noted here that in 2014, the value of the Indian automobile sector stood at Rs 14 lakh crore, but it has now escalated to Rs 22 lakh crore.

At the Navbharat Times event, Gadkari also acknowledged the challenges of operating a newspaper, expressing that owners must rely on advertising revenue to cover their operational costs.