Crackdown on smoke-emitting units expedited

EPA official says drive aims to prevent smog in coming winter

RAWALPINDI:

The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has expedited a crackdown on smoke-emitting brick kilns, stone crushing units, industrial units and vehicles to prevent smog in the forthcoming winter.

Officials said that the agency has so far sealed a total of 66 brick kilns, 11 stone crushing units and five smoke-emitting industrial units besides seizing 35 obnoxious fume-emitting vehicles.

The agency has so far registered cases against 79 brick kilns and 10 industrial units for emitting smoke.

A total of Rs900,000 in fines was imposed on owners of smoke-emitting brick kilns, Rs150,000 on smoke-emitting industries, Rs100,000 on stone-crushing units and Rs150,000 on smoke-emitting vehicles.

Punjab Ministry of Environment Secretary Dr Naeem Rauf said that smog is likely to exacerbate in winter and the ongoing drive aimed to take prevent pollution. “We will seal all units, brick kilns and vehicles emitting obnoxious smoke before the onset of winter. The district administration will also take strict action against those who burn crops and garbage,” he said adding that the burning of crop residue, waste and garbage has already been banned.

The official said that a circular has been issued to deputy directors of all 36 districts of Punjab to take strict action against brick kilns using old technology. He said that no brick kiln that did not install the environmental-friendly zigzag technology will not be allowed to operate. “Raiding teams have also been formed for checking them. Only zigzag technology kilns are allowed to manufacture bricks,” he said.

According to the EPA, 1,225 brick kilns have been checked so far and of them, 66 were sealed while cases had been registered against 79 for not having zigzag technology.

Officials said that so far eleven stone crushing units have been shut down across the Rawalpindi division. They said that the crackdown on polluting units will continue daily.

The Regional Transport Authority secretary has also issued notices to owners to stop plying smoke-emitting vehicles.

The government has also ordered that all kilns be converted to ‘zigzag’ technology, a design change that makes more efficient use of fuel.

An internal zigzag structure in kilns, combined with the use of an air blower, can cut the consumption of coal, slash emissions substantially and improve the quality of bricks produced, officials said.

Traditional kiln owners, however, were demanding a shutdown of no more than a month and insisting on government help to make the design change.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11^th, 2022.