Thane: The Thane (rural) police has devised a novel way to outsmart bikers who have been creating a nuisance by reckless racing and deafening noise by fitting shrill horns and illegally modified silencers which create noise beyond the permissible limit. To catch the bikers red-handed, personnel attached to the Navghar police station in Bhayandar, are posing as beggars, priests and even eunuch’s at strategic locations.
“Our earlier attempts to nab them had failed, as they were watchful and would vanish or zoom away, no sooner they saw the uniformed personnel approaching or trying to stop them. To ensure that the bikers did not sense the police presence in the vicinity, our teams disguised themselves.” said Senior Police Inspector- Ram Bhalsingh.
In the past three days, the police has taken action against more than 50 bikers. Not limiting their action to monetary penalties, police personnel armed with hammers and tongs detach and crush the illegal alterations on the spot. “While spare part sellers and garage mechanics who facilitate the illegalities will be taken to task, bikers who are notorious for performing deadly stunts and late night races are also on radar. ” said Asst. SP- Atul Kulkarni.
Apart from noisy horns, there are boosters which are fitted on to a motorcycles’ silencer to create bike-racing like sound, sources said. While a modified silencer pipe does not have a filter to stop excessive noise, prices differ according to the type of metal used to manufacture the outer cast. Any type alteration of a factory model sans RTO consent is illegal under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
