High-decibel danger: Odisha Police to seize modified-silencer bikes, register FIR against bikers

In a stern move against rising noise pollution caused by illegally modified-silencer bikes, the Twin City Commissionerate Police have announced that the bikes fitted with high-decibel modified silencers will be seized and riders will be booked under the Motor Vehicles Act and relevant criminal sections. 

The action comes amidst growing public concern over the dangerous health impacts of excessive noise, heightened further by the recent death of veteran Jatra artist Devi Rath, allegedly triggered by extremely loud DJ sound during Kartika Purnima celebrations in Cuttack.

According to police officials, the enforcement will not be limited to issuing fines or warnings. Any biker caught riding with modified silencers will have the motorcycle seized immediately, and the rider will face legal proceedings, including heavy penalties and possible suspension of the driving licence. 

Next time, a biker is caught riding with a noisy modified silencer, the cops won’t let them go with a warning. The vehicle will be seized, and the rider will be booked, said a senior police personnel, calling the move necessary to curb reckless and hazardous behaviour on the roads.

Also Read: Veteran Jatra artist Devi Rath’s demise: Loud DJ sound during Kartika Purnima proved fatal, claims son

Doctors warn that sudden or prolonged exposure to such high decibel levels can:

- Trigger heart attacks or arrhythmia in vulnerable patients
- Cause anxiety and panic, especially in elderly people and children
- Lead to permanent hearing damage
- Create dangerous conditions for road safety due to distraction and shock

Efforts Appreciated, But Enforcement Still Weak

While residents welcome the latest police action, many question why such drives are seasonal rather than continuous. Despite repeated seizures of modified silencers and fines imposed, one can still hear racing motorcycles echoing across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack late at night, especially near major roads and university campuses.

Activists argue that without targeting the production and sale of illegal silencers, roadside installation shops, and DJ operators who ignore limits, enforcement will remain incomplete. Citizens are calling for real-time decibel monitoring, community complaint hotlines, and designated silent zones around hospitals and schools.

Noise pollution, often ignored as a minor nuisance, has proven capable of causing irreversible damage and even death. The police decision to seize violators’ vehicles and book offenders marks a serious shift toward treating noise as a public-health issue rather than a lifestyle annoyance. 

Unless strict enforcement is sustained throughout the year, experts warn, Odisha risks more preventable tragedies.