Punjab govt seals 356 brick kilns to rein in smog

Local administration imposes over Rs800,000 in fines for violations

LAHORE: In a frantic move against brick kilns, industries and vehicles to rein in an alarming rise in smog and atmospheric pollution, the Punjab government has launched a massive crackdown and sealed 356 brick kilns besides imposing heavy fines on violations.

The local administration has also slapped over Rs800,000 penalties over violations. Lahore Division Commissioner Asif Bilal Lodhi has highlighted that the government has decided to tighten the noose on sources of atmospheric pollutions, which are triggering smog in Lahore and adjoining areas. The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against atmospheric pollution and it would not accept any negligence in an ongoing anti-smog drive, he maintained.

He indicated that during anti-smog drive the local administration has imposed Rs821,000 fine on brick kilns and industries for spreading pollution, besides awareness-raising activities in different areas of the metropolis and adjoining districts.

As many as 190 cases, including 58 in Lahore, have been registered in different police stations over violation of environment laws of the provincial.

The government has also sealed 356 brick kilns across Lahore Division, including 286 in Lahore. A campaign against smoke emitting vehicles is also underway. So far 2,166 smoke-emitting vehicles, including 795 in the provincial capital, have been challaned.

Following crackdown and imposition of the ban, Lodhi pointed out, brick kilns are fast converting to new zig-zag technology to avoid a ban.

The commissioner has directed all deputy commissioners to take strict action against violators of ban on burning crop residue in fields. He instructed them to keep a strict check on violators even on weekends and holidays and submit a report to his office.

Following scattered drizzle and tightening the noose on violators of environmental laws, the steep decline is witnessed in smog level in the provincial capital.

Air quality data of an international atmospheric pollution monitoring agency, AirVisual, show a moderate level of atmospheric pollution in the provincial capital. It points out that the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city is hovering around 100, which was touching the hazardous level of above 300 during last week.

It also reports a decline in PM 2.5 reading from 100 to 35 µg/m³ on Sunday. PM 2.5 reading indicates a state of contamination with very fine particles of less than 2.5 micrometres, which are only 3% of the diameter of human hair. Environment experts warn that these PM2.5 particles have tendency to stay longer in the air due to their small size and light nature, which increase chances of humans and animals inhaling them into their bodies because these particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres are able to bypass nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs and some may even enter the circulatory system.

Atmospheric pollution level in the city remained so high during the current month that the government closed private and public schools thrice during the current month as smog level touched hazardous range.

Lahore topped twice on the most polluted cities ranking during the current month. However, atmospheric pollution level has witnessed a decrease following rain and strict enforcement of environmental laws. The government has appealed citizens to play their role in curtailing atmospheric pollution as it would be impossible for the government to control smog in absence of public cooperation.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2019.