World News | Kabul Residents Urge Restrictions on Loudspeakers as Noise Pollution Worsens
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Kabul residents are urging authorities to restrict loudspeakers used by street vendors, citing severe noise pollution, Tolo News reported. Officials say thousands of devices have been seized, but note change will take time. Residents suggest alternatives like displaying prices to reduce noise in the city's markets.
Kabul [Afghanistan], September 21 (ANI): Noise pollution, long a part of daily life in Kabul, has become a serious environmental and social concern, with residents calling on authorities to impose limits on loudspeakers used by street vendors, Tolo News reported.
Residents say vendors' constant use of loudspeakers has turned public spaces into noisy and unsettling areas.
Omar, a Kabul resident, said: "From six in the morning, they shout about mineral water with loud voices, without considering if someone in the house is sick. It continues like this from six in the morning until evening."
Firoz, another resident, echoed the frustration. "The loudspeakers are on until 9 or 10 at night. We ask the government to place restrictions on the use of loudspeakers by these individuals," he said.
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Another resident added: "At the very least, they should lower the volume or use them only in designated areas."
Officials acknowledge the problem but say changing habits will take time. According to a municipal representative, thousands of loudspeakers have already been collected and citizens are being urged to cooperate.
Nematullah Barakzai, a representative of Kabul Municipality, explained: "The municipality works on two fronts, with the main one being cultural awareness. We always run awareness programs in schools, districts, neighborhoods, and mosques to inform people that noise pollution is a serious nuisance for residents."
As Tolo News noted, authorities argue that noise has become embedded in Kabul's market culture, complicating efforts to fully eliminate the problem.
In the past, some residents suggested that vendors display written prices for goods to avoid using loudspeakers.
Tolo News reported that despite these appeals, noise pollution remains a persistent challenge across the city. (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)