~ Innovative solution by Mridul Bhatnagar and Varnali Sharma gains recognition from the Indian Patent Office, Central Pollution Control Board, and Startup India ~
We are proud to share that our esteemed alumni, Mridul Bhatnagar, a graduate of the MBA Tech program from SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering (MPSTME), along with his partner and now wife, Mrs. Varnali Sharma, have been granted a patent by the Indian Patent Office (June 2025) for their pioneering invention – an anti-noise pollution device designed to monitor and control excessive honking in vehicles.
The device, developed with the aim of reducing noise pollution in urban areas, is capable of detecting and analysing honking behaviour in real time. By tracking noise levels, it can incentivise responsible driving by offering rewards or negating existing penalties for those who use horns judiciously.
The concept originated in 2017, when Mridul, then a final-year MBA Tech student at NMIMS MPSTME, observed the rampant and unnecessary honking around the Mumbai campus. Identifying a clear societal need, he joined forces with Varnali Sharma to build a viable solution. With a research grant of ₹2 lakh and invaluable support from faculty and mentors at NMIMS, the duo began working on prototypes, testing the device on personal vehicles.
Their invention has since drawn national attention. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recognised the potential of this technology in combating urban noise pollution, and the startup has been listed under the Startup India initiative (DIPP). Discussions are now underway with government and private entities to launch pilot projects, potentially paving the way for large-scale implementation across Indian cities.
According to Mridul, the device can be installed in any noise-generating source. “It is designed to encourage behavioural change by creating self-awareness among drivers,” he explained. Varnali adds, “Our next goal is to collaborate with government departments to roll out pilot programs. If successful, we envision a future where responsible honking is rewarded, and chaotic noise becomes a thing of the past.”
What began as a college project has now transformed into a government-recognised innovation with the potential to reshape urban mobility and environmental policy. This remarkable achievement reflects the spirit of innovation and social responsibility fostered at NMIMS MPSTME.
As India grapples with the growing challenges of environmental degradation and urban stress, this patented device offers a hopeful step toward quieter, healthier, and more responsible cities.
