LUCKNOW, April 19 -- Acting on directions from the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court, the transport department has launched a crackdown in the state capital against vehicles fitted with modified silencers, hooters and multi-toned horns. Thirty-three vehicles were challaned and nine seized in just two days of enforcement.

The drive, which began on Friday, is being carried out jointly by the transport department and traffic police following strict observations by the high court in a public interest litigation over rising noise pollution caused by such devices.

Most of the vehicles penalised so far are Bullet motorcycles fitted with illegal modified silencers that generate high-decibel noise, according to assistant regional transpo...