Home / Crime and Justice / Pune's Silent Scream: Modified Bike Exhausts Plague City
Pune's Silent Scream: Modified Bike Exhausts Plague City
18 Mar
Summary
- Modified bike silencers create noise over 50 times the permissible limit.
- Police have fined thousands of offenders in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
- Loud exhausts harm hearing, increase stress, and affect cardiovascular health.
Modified motorcycle silencers are causing a widespread noise disturbance in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, with sounds often exceeding permissible limits by more than 50 times. Residents report significant distress, including sleep disruption and anxiety, stemming from the explosive exhaust sounds.
In response to the escalating issue, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad police have conducted extensive crackdowns. In early 2026 (January-February), Pune police apprehended 3,764 offenders, collecting ₹29.37 lakh, while Pimpri Chinchwad police caught 1,853 violators, accumulating ₹18.53 lakh. These actions follow previous enforcement drives in 2025, which saw a high number of offenders fined.
Authorities are taking the problem seriously, with additional commissioner of police Manoj Patil noting the "criminal mindset" behind such modifications and stating that cases will be registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Auto experts highlight that the logarithmic nature of the decibel scale means 100 dB is 100 times more intense than 80 dB, exceeding the World Health Organization's safe environmental noise levels.
Medical professionals are raising alarms about the health consequences, including Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases due to stress hormone release triggered by loud noises. Psychologists suggest that riders use loud exhausts for identity projection, seeking attention and asserting power, a trend amplified by social media.
