Delhi Police Says Loud Silencers Banned, But Bikers Turn Deaf Ear

Despite challans issued by Delhi Police, bikers continue to spend thousands on modified silencers & pressure horns.

Traffic challan

(Photo:The Quint)

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma/Mohd Irshad Alam

You have met several bikers on the roads who drive past you and the loud sound of their bikes give you goosebumps. Several bikers on the streets of Delhi and NCR prefer modifying their bikes’ silencers and pressure horns for Bullet-like surround sound.

These bikers are now on the Delhi police’s radar. Delhi police is very active this year too, in not only issuing challans for these modified silencers and pressure horns, but also destroying them. Several thousand challans have already been issued this year.

Delhi’s Karol Bagh has the biggest market for such modified silencers and pressure horns. Silencer dealers claim, no clear guideline has been issued by the Delhi police so far and that traffic cops do not even have proper decibel-checking equipments.

What Do the Rules Say?

Delhi Traffic Police which has been issuing challans over vehicles with modified silencers and pressure horns, says that there is a total ban on these equipment.

“As per the Motor Vehicles Act, approval of Registration Authority is mandatory for modifying any vehicle. Without that, it is an illegal modification. It is punishable under the law. All companies manufacture their vehicles keeping safety standards in mind. Silencers are a part of it. Modifying a silencer is a safety hazard and creates too much sound which is also an offence under the Noise Pollution Act. So Delhi police takes action against these bikers.”

K Jagdeshan, Joint Commissioner, Traffic, Delhi Police

Why is No Action Taken Against Sellers?

When asked why are challans issued on bikers alone, why is no action taken against manufacturers of modified silencers and pressure horns, Joint CP of Delhi Traffic Police said that taking action against manufacturers is not under their jurisdiction. State police of respective states can take action against manufacturers. He also said that number of challans issued this year over modified silencers and pressure horns, has risen.

“7,000 challans were issued in 2018 alone. 15,000 challans have been issued so far in 2019. Offenders have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000.”

K Jagdeshan, Joint Commissioner, Traffic, Delhi Police

Bikers Not Bothered About Challan

While the Delhi Police is up in arms against these modified silencers and pressure horns, even issuing challans and destroying them, the demand for these silencers and pressure horns has not dropped at all, at the Karol Bagh market. Most of these bikers are aware that challans could be issued and these silencers destroyed, yet they are ready to pay a handsome amount for these equipment.

“I got my bike’s exhaust changed. The sound of the bike would be suppressed because of the original exhaust and it was very heavy too. With this one, I get better sound quality. You feel like you are riding a superbike and not an ordinary one. I am aware that challans are issued if I do not get this registered.”

Customer

What Do the Silencer Dealers of Karol Bagh Say?

In Karol Bagh’s Naiwala market, several hundred bikers come daily to get their bikes modified. Despite a ban on modified silencers and pressure horns, the demand for these equipment have not dropped. Silencer dealers claim there is no strict guideline issued by the Delhi Police over sale and use of these modified silencers.

“There is no clarity on when challans are issued and when not? If you check the decibel levels, it will be normal. But traffic cops do not have decibel meters, so they can’t check. They just hear the loud noise from bikes and issue challans. Because of lack of proper knowledge, customers feel that after modifying exhausts, bikes will make loud sound.”

Silencer dealer

What is the Price of These Silencers?

The price of these silencers range from 700 to Rs 20,000. Silencers for sports bikes range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000. Silencers for bullets are different from those of other bikes. Price of pressure horns range from Rs 100 to rs 700. Lower the cost, louder the noise it makes. A pressure horn that can make 18 different sounds, is available at Rs 250 only.