Dhaka has been ordered to fall quiet.
But in a city where noise rules have repeatedly collapsed in the face of chaos, many wonder whether silence is even possible.
The government has imposed new noise control rules restricting the use of vehicle horns and loudspeakers across Bangladesh, including a ban on honking in residential areas from 9pm to 6am and a complete prohibition in designated “silent zones.”
However, religious institutions and religious events – including activities at mosques, temples, churches and pagodas – have been exempted.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025, formulated under the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act, 1995.
The rules took effect following publication of the official gazette on November 24.
Despite the new framework, questions have already arisen regarding implementation – particularly in Dhaka, where hospitals, schools and courts, which qualify as “silent areas,” are often built beside major roads or surrounded by mixed or industrial land use.
Environmental experts say such realities make enforcement extremely challenging.
Enforcement concerns
Dr Fahmida Khanam, additional secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, confirmed to Dhaka Tribune that the rules came into force immediately after gazette publication.
But environmentalist Sharif Jamil, executive member of Waterkeepers Alliance and coordinator of WaterkeepersBangladesh, said the biggest source of noise pollution is ironically within declared silent zones, including the secretariat area.
“Laws already existed, but were never implemented. Unless these new rules are enforced meaningfully, they will remain ineffective,” he said.
“Regulations must be shaped through participation of all stakeholders – religious leaders, communities, environmental groups – otherwise noise levels cannot be controlled in practice.”
Another environmental expert, requesting anonymity, warned that unenforced laws risk becoming “mere paperwork without real-world impact.”
Past attempts illustrate these challenges.
Honking has been banned twice in the Bangladesh Secretariat area, with fines imposed, yet the practice continues.
Silent zones near hospitals and schools have similarly failed to remain silent because they sit directly beside major thoroughfares.
What is a silent area?
A silent area is defined as a zone extending 100 metres around a hospital, clinic, educational institution, court, office or similar establishment.
These zones must be clearly marked with signage by union parishads, municipalities, city corporations or urban development authorities.
No loudspeakers or sound-producing devices may be used in public areas without prior permission from relevant authorities.
Under the guidelines, silent zones must not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night, while residential areas are limited to 55 dB in the day and 45 dB at night.
In mixed-use areas, the cap is 60 dB during the day and 50 dB at night.
Commercial zones are allowed up to 70 dB in the day and 60 dB at night, and industrial areas have the highest limits at 75 dB during the day and 70 dB at night.
Daytime is defined as 6am to 9pm, with night-time covering 9pm to 6am.
Noise limits for vehicles
The new regulations also set specific noise limits for vehicles and watercraft.
Two- and three-wheelers, as well as light vehicles such as cars, microbuses and pickups, must not exceed 85 decibels, while medium vehicles including minibuses and trucks are capped at 90 decibels.
Heavy vehicles such as buses, large trucks and lorries, along with mechanical watercraft, are restricted to 100 decibels.
Measurements are to be taken from 1.5 meters away from the sound source.
However, the rules include wide-ranging exemptions.
Noise from religious institutions and ceremonies, government information broadcasts, official work by defence, police and law enforcement agencies, and national events such as Independence Day, Victory Day, February 21, Pahela Baishakh and Muharram will not be subject to the restrictions.
Ambulance and fire brigade operations, Iftar and Sehri announcements, distress signals during natural disasters, and public announcements of death, missing persons or lost property are also exempt.
The government retains the authority to declare further exemptions as needed.
Implementation in doubt
Experts say that despite clear guidelines, enforcement remains the core obstacle.
Dhaka’s dense urban environment – where residential buildings, offices, schools and hospitals sit adjacent to major roads – makes the concept of a “silent zone” difficult in practice.
“The rules are a step in the right direction,” said environmentalist Sharif Jamil.
“But without political will, community engagement and coordinated enforcement, noise pollution will persist despite any legislation.”
