Musical Concert On Indian Roads
In a bid to make Indian roads less jarring to the ears, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has proposed a law that could dramatically change how the country sounds in traffic.
Speaking at a recent event, Nitin Gadkari announced his intention to replace the current cacophony of vehicle horns with tones modeled after Indian musical instruments. He suggested sounds like the flute, tabla, violin, and harmonium as pleasant alternatives that could help soften the country’s famously noisy streets.
Beyond the auditory shift, Nitin Gadkari used the platform to highlight broader efforts toward cleaner transportation. With the transport sector accounting for approximately 40 percent of India’s pollution, he emphasized the push toward biofuels such as ethanol and methanol. These initiatives, he noted, are key to the government’s strategy for combating environmental degradation and reducing dependency on traditional fossil fuels.
Reflecting on the growth of the country’s automotive
industry, Nitin Gadkari pointed out that India has now become the world’s
third-largest automobile market, having surpassed Japan. The sector has seen
significant expansion, growing from a valuation of ₹14 lakh crore in 2014 to
₹22 lakh crore today. He also celebrated India’s top position in two-wheeler
and car export revenue, underscoring the global competitiveness of the
industry.
The announcement of the musical horn proposal sparked a
flurry of reactions. While some appreciated the idea for its creativity and
cultural resonance, others were quick to critique or poke fun through social
media memes. A number of voices online questioned the prioritization of such a
law, urging the government to focus instead on improving road conditions and
managing traffic more effectively.
As the government looks to blend cultural identity with innovation and sustainability, the road ahead may soon sound very different—perhaps a little more like a symphony and a little less like a siren.
Tags: Nitin Gadkari, Vehicle, Horns, Tabla, Flute, Violin, Harmonium
