State of the World from NPR India's Honk-Happy Drivers Switch To Even Louder Horns
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Sep 12, 2025 Mumbai's streets are a symphony of honking, with drivers resorting to even louder horns to be heard in the chaos. The podcast delves into the effects of this relentless noise pollution on public health and the challenges of traffic congestion. It highlights the quirky trend of louder vehicle horns while questioning safety improvements. Solutions are discussed, such as using Indian classical music sounds and implementing better noise regulations to tame the urban clamor.
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Minute Of Relentless Honking
- Omkar Khandekar counted 27 honks in one minute at a busy Mumbai intersection.
- He describes honking at pedestrians, signals, and other vehicles that made his head hurt and heart race.
Noise Levels Exceed Health Guidelines
- Mumbai's daytime noise often exceeds 80 decibels, far above WHO's 55-decibel guideline.
- Persistent urban noise compares to listening to a noisy vacuum cleaner all day and harms hearing.
Cultural Justification For Honking
- Sumaira Abdulali says many Indians feel honking is necessary because no one yields otherwise.
- She reports horns reaching up to 120 decibels and growing louder over time.