Sir,

Apropos the letter from Dr. M. Shyamprasad (SOM dated Aug.28), I wish to express my full agreement with the point made and the appeal to the authorities to curb the menace.

Before Covid-19 started, there were only a few autorickshaws mounted with loud speakers selling odd products and services. But when the Covid-19 lockdown was induced and there were restrictions for people to go out and buy essential needs, the venture of the street hawkers increased considerably and was welcome relief albeit with loud speakers.

Now, even though the pandemic severity has died out considerably, the loud speaker menace is increasing with several of them appearing at the same time on the same road or the neighbouring roads. The cacophony continues for well over a few minutes and the blaring goes on late into the afternoon also. Appeals to lower the volume falls on deaf ears.

The number of vendors has increased — from fruits, vegetables and spices to rangoli, carpets, bulbs, knife sharpeners, zip repairs, etc. Many of them are without the mandatory mask and sanitised hands. MCC should rein them in these early times before it becomes a nuisance to all, and out of control just like the littering menace.

– Prof. B.S. Shankara (retd), Mysuru, 31.8.2021

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