Bhubaneswar: Police plan to launch a crackdown on bikers who use modified silencers that create bursting sounds.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said that they had decided to launch the drive after receiving several complaints.

"Our force will penalise the vehicle owners and will also ensure that these exhaust systems are replaced. Such nuisance will not be tolerated," said Bhoi.

Under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, 80 decibels is the maximum noise limit for motorcycles and scooters. But, bikers who use modified silencers on their vehicles violate the norms. A bike fitted with modified silencer produces noise that is at least of 120 decibels and often above 130 decibels.

Fancy bikers spend between Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,000 to modify the exhaust systems of the motorcycles.

Transport officials said that that alteration of a factory model is illegal under the Motor Vehicles Act. "The motorcycles have stock silencers with three filters to produce low sound. But, bikers often alter the silencer to produce loud sound. This can attract a penalty of Rs 1,000, which can be extended up to Rs 2,000," said a transport officer.

While a number of motorcycles have modified silencers that produce high sound level, a number of motorcycles also generate firecracker-like sounds that have resulted in panic and accidents.

"Such fire-cracker like sound from these vehicles shock commuters.Stringent action should be taken against such rogue bikers," said resident Sasmita Dash.

Traffic violations detected by the police have decreased in Bhubaneswar in 2017. The police said in 2016 the penalty amount collected was Rs 3.14 crore, while in 2017 it dropped to Rs 2.52 crore.