Nitin Gadkari Proposes Indian Musical Instrument Sounds as Vehicle Horns

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has proposed replacing traditional vehicle horns with the sounds of Indian musical instruments like the flute, tabla, violin, and harmonium. Speaking at an event on Monday, he stated that this initiative aims to make roads less noisy and more pleasant for commuters.

A Shift from Noise Pollution to Melodic Roads

Gadkari highlighted that the transport sector contributes to 40% of India’s air pollution. As part of the government’s push toward eco-friendly practices, alternatives like methanol and ethanol-based fuels are being promoted. The use of musical horns is being considered as a step to reduce urban noise pollution while incorporating Indian cultural sounds into daily life.

India’s Auto Industry Growth

The minister also spoke about the growth of India’s automobile sector, which has expanded from ₹14 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹22 lakh crore today. India has now become the third-largest automobile market in the world, surpassing Japan and ranking behind only the US and China.

In FY25, passenger vehicle sales reached a record 43,01,848 units, marking a 1.97% increase from the previous year. Exports also saw a rise of 14.62%, with strong demand from Latin America, Africa, and several developed countries.

While the idea of musical horns may seem unconventional, it fits into Gadkari’s larger vision for innovative and sustainable transport systems in India.