Sound of Indian musical instruments to be used for horns of vehicles: Nitin Gadkari

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said he was planning to bring a law under which the horns of vehicles would be replaced by the sound of Indian musical instruments.

Speaking at an event in Nashik on Monday, Nitin Gadkari said he was considering replacing the sirens of ambulances and police vehicles with a more pleasant tune played on the All India Radio.

“Now I want to put an end to these sirens as well. Now I am studying the sirens (used by) ambulances and police," PTI quoted Gadkari as saying.

“An artist composed a tune of Akashwani (All Indian Radio) and it was played early in the morning. I am thinking of using that tune for ambulances so that people feel pleasant. It is so irritating, especially after ministers pass by, the sirens are used at full volume. This also harms the ears," he added.

Sounds of flute, tabla, violin, mouth organ, harmonium, etc could be used as horn, Nitin Gadkari said.

We lose 3% of our GDP due to accidents: Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari said five lakh accidents take place in India every year, which claim the lives of 1.5 lakh people and lakhs are injured.

"We lose 3 per cent of our GDP due to accidents," he said.

However, there has been a downfall in these numbers, the minister said. Accidents on the Mumbai-Pune highway have come down by 50 per cent. Tamil Nadu government has brought down accidents and deaths by 50 per cent.

However, similar success could not be achieved in Maharashtra, Gadkari said.

(With inputs from PTI)