As a part of the urban soundtrack, the honking of cars, bikes, and buses is a constant tune. Wherever you go, you can’t escape the sweet melody that blends with the everyday chaos of the city. Honking is a major source of noise pollution in urban populations. The constant blowing of horns from cars, bikes, and buses creates an overwhelming soundscape, contributing to stress, anxiety, and health issues for city dwellers.
However, in the northeastern state of India, a city has set an example by following a law that prohibits honking.In Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, this familiar mix of annoying sounds is absent. This unique practice has set Aizawl apart from the rest of the country.
Mizo culture can be defined by a word, which is untranslatable, but it describes a way of living characterized by hospitality, kindness, unselfishness, and helpfulness to others. As a community, Mizos have always put the welfare of the community before themselves. This explains why the city follows the no-honking rule so religiously. This code of conduct, while unwritten, has permeated into all aspects of their life, even when it comes to traffic rules.
The ‘silent city’ has a population of about 3.5 lakh people, with 1.25 lakh registered vehicles in Aizawl. Due to narrower roads and so many cars, it can sometimes take hours to cross even 15 kilometers. Yet, the city has maintained its reputation, even with so many vehicles moving around. People are patient and polite, and due to the slow-paced life, they don’t get impatient trying to get ahead in traffic.
To everyone’s surprise, this is not a government-imposed law but one that has been implemented by the citizens themselves. However, authorities like the police help in maintaining this self-imposed law by not allowing roaring bikes, reprimanding people trying to overtake during traffic jams, or reminding tourists about this rule.
Aizawl has an urbanization rate of over 50 percent. This growing population and industrialization mean that the government needs to implement stringent laws to maintain order. One such law is requiring proof of owning a garage before being allowed to buy a vehicle. The government has also tried applying the odd-even rule in the state.
