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Published : 25 Nov 2025, 06:07 PM
The government has issued a sweeping set of noise-control regulations that fix daytime and night-time sound limits by area type, replacing the 2006 rules and introducing penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment for violations.
The environment ministry published the gazette on Tuesday, formally enforcing the new Noise Pollution Control Rules after a full overhaul of the previous framework.
The revised regulations set out detailed decibel ceilings, prohibitions on specific devices, and strict limits on the use of loudspeakers, especially during election campaigns.
Under the rules, the period from 6am to 9pm is designated as “daytime”, while 9pm to 6am is defined as “night-time”. Standards have been fixed for what constitutes acceptable noise within these periods.
Silent zones:
Residential areas:
Mixed areas:
Commercial areas:
Industrial areas:
On vehicle horns, the rules prohibit the manufacture, import, stockpiling, sale, display, distribution, commercial transport or use of horns that exceed approved limits, including hydraulic horns, multi-tone horns and other auxiliary sound devices. No one may install or use an unauthorised horn that crosses defined noise thresholds in any motor vehicle or watercraft.
In silent zones, no horn may be sounded at any time. Residential areas are fully restricted from horn use between 9pm and 6am.
The rules ban firecrackers, fireworks and similar noise-producing items in silent zones at all hours and in all other areas at night. Limited use is allowed during state, sports, cultural events and festivals, but only with permission.
All industrial plants are required to keep noise emissions within the prescribed limits. Users of generators in residential, commercial, mixed, industrial and silent areas must ensure adequate safeguards to reduce noise pollution from these machines.
Picnics are prohibited in natural forest areas and wildlife habitats, and high-decibel devices may not be used in such locations.
Vehicles used for picnics or social events are barred from using loud microphones, loudspeakers, amplifiers, musical instruments or any other high-noise equipment.
PENALTIES AND EXEMPTIONS
The rules set out penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of Tk 200,000, or both, for manufacturing, importing or marketing horns and related devices that exceed permissible noise levels.
Using unauthorised high-noise horns in a motor vehicle or watercraft, or sounding a horn in a silent zone, carries a maximum penalty of three months’ imprisonment, a fine of Tk 10,000, or both. Drivers will also incur a penalty of one demerit point.
Other violations may draw up to one month’s imprisonment or a fine of Tk 50,000, or both.
The regulations, however, do not apply to mosques, temples, churches, pagodas or other places of worship; to Eid congregations, funeral rites, name-chanting ceremonies, processions and other essential religious events; to public announcements by government or statutory bodies; to official work by defence, police or law-enforcing agencies; to events on Independence Day, Victory Day, Feb 21, Pohela Boishakh, Muharram or other state-declared occasions; or to sound from aircraft and trains.
ELECTION CAMPAIGNS
The rules introduce explicit restrictions on noise during electioneering. In all elections, the use of microphones, loudspeakers, public-address systems or any high-noise device is prohibited in silent zones.
In all other areas, campaign activities must comply with the Election Commission’s code of conduct and must not exceed the permitted decibel limits.
Under the existing political behaviour code, no candidate or campaigner may use more than three microphones or loudspeakers simultaneously in any election area.
Campaign noise must be restricted to between 2pm and 8pm. Devices used during canvassing may not exceed 60 decibels.
No registered political party, nominated candidate, independent candidate or their agents may begin campaigning earlier than three weeks before polling day, and all campaign activities must end 48 hours before voting begins.
Violations of the code carry penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 150,000, with the Election Commission holding the authority to cancel a candidature.
