Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched “Horn Not OK” awareness campaign and “Shoor Nahin” Mobile App here today.Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister said that the State was known for its salubrious climate and peaceful environment. Thus it is vital that each one of us contribute towards maintaining the pristine environment of the State, he added. He said that blowing horn is not only causing un-necessary noise pollution but it is also harmful for our health. He said that in the first phase this campaign has been launched in two cities of the State viz. Shimla and Manali. He said that both these towns are major tourist attractions and motivating the drivers not to use horns in these towns is a commendable initiative.
Jai Ram Thakur urged the media to help in spreading awareness regarding 'Horn Not OK' campaign so that drivers could be motivated to avoid use of horn in these cities. He urged the drivers, Police personnel to make this campaign a success.He said that the mobile App 'Shoor Nahin' is also a good initiative to check noise pollution in the State. He said that this App has been developed for the convenience of the general public to report any noise pollution occupancy to the authorities for corrective measures. He said that it is an initiative of the Department of Environment Science and Technology in association with the NIC Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said that this App allows two types of users that are general public and officers, both are authenticated using the OTP. He said that all such complaints would be immediately made available through the App to the concerned DC, SP, SDM and SDPO who can add the action taken report on the app itself. The App would help authorities to locate the occurrence of the incidences using GPS which can be easily used to trace the path using Google maps.Jai Ram Thakur distributed information kit to DSP Traffic Police P.D. Thakur, President, Secretariat Drivers Union, Shanti Swaroop, President Departmental Drivers Union Budhi Singh, President HRTC Drivers Union Satya Dev and others on the occasion.Additional Chief Secretary Forests, Environment, Science and Technology Tarun Kapoor also spoke on the occasion.
Director, Environment, Science and Technology Department D.C. Rana welcomed the Chief Minister and others and gave a detailed account of ill effect of noise pollution on living beings.Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhry, Additional Chief Secretary cum Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. Shrikant Baldi, Additional Chief Secretary PWD Manisha Nanda, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Anil Kumar Khachi, Additional Chief Secretary Home Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Social Justice Nisha Singh, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Kundu, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Heads of Departments and other senior officers were present on the occasion.