Duranta launches no-honking drive

Duranta, bicycle brand of business conglomerate RFL Group, has launched a campaign titled ‘ShobdoTraash’ to create public awareness to prevent unnecessary honking.

RFL Group Managing Director RN Paul inaugurated the campaign at a function held at RFL Group’s office in Badda, Dhaka on Tuesday.

The program includes training of drivers, publication of articles on the harmful effects of noise pollution in the media, dissemination of various awareness messages on social media and organizing roundtable to prevent noise pollution.

“Unnecessary honking creates noise pollution which is a major concern in our country and high levels of noise put negative impact on person’s hearing and health,” said RN Paul.

“Noise pollution causes heart diseases and creates many physical difficulties.” He pointed, “About 80 per cent of the noise pollution in the country is caused by honking from different types of vehicles. The impact of noise pollution is terrible.”

He added, “If we want to survive, we must stop unnecessary honking. There are many countries in the world where people do not honk at all. It is also possible in our country, if we want to do so. RFL Group has a corporate social responsibility as the country’s leading business group. We have launched this campaign to make the common people of the country, including the drivers, aware of the situation.”

Duranta Bicycle Chief Operating Officer Md Mahmudur Rahman said that in most cases, drivers indulge in unnecessary honking without realising the impact it can have on health. The main objective of this campaign is to make the people aware about the uncontrolled honking and its harmful effects.

He added that four video contents have been made to create awareness through digital platform at the beginning of the campaign. The speeches of the people, who played a role in creating a social movement to stop honking at different times, will be disseminated on social media.

Besides, articles and columns related to noise pollution will be published in the newspapers as well as roundtable will be held with the participation of experts. Moreover, we will provide training to drivers across the country so that they don’t honk unnecessarily.

Md Mahmudur Rahman said, “We will introduce E-bike in this year that will work as alternative to motorcycle. E-bike is environment friendly.”

Duranta Bicycle Head of Marketing Shariful Islam, Senior Operation Manager Robin Khan, Brand Manager Khandaker Arif Hossain and other senior officials of the company were present on the occasion.