Policy rolled out to control smog

Squads formed to crack down on smoke-emitting establishments, industries and vehicles

RAWALPINDI:

With the onset of the winter season, smog has started to increase, causing air pollution in different cities of Punjab including in the Rawalpindi district.

The Punjab government has rolled out a 10-point policy to control pollution, which will remain in force until further notice. Fines against smog emissions have also been increased.

The Punjab relief commissioner has issued a notification banning the burning of all types of crops and garbage, smoke-emitting vehicles, factories, brick kilns and stone-crushing plants in all districts including in the Rawalpindi district.

Transportation of uncovered building material, traffic obstructing parking and all types of dust-blowing activities have also been banned.

The fine for crop burning has been increased to Rs50,000, the fine for smoking brick kilns has been increased to Rs100,000, the fine has been increased to Rs2,000 for smoke-emitting vehicles and motorcycles, and the fine for smoke-emitting factories, bakeries and stone crushing machines has been increased to Rs50,000.

The Rawalpindi administration has also issued a notification taking the department of environmental protection to take action against smog-emitting set-ups and vehicles from Tuesday (today).

The department of environmental protection confirmed that the smog control policy has been put in place and accordingly squads and teams have been formed to check violations.

Officials said that there will be a zero-tolerance policy against smog-emitting brick kilns, industries and stone-crushing plants.

Department of environmental department official Muhammad Amin Baig said that field and laboratory staff will monitor the quality of smoke with a special gadget on the GT Road and near the motorway in collaboration with traffic police.

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He said that the anti-smog squads will also monitor the proper disposal of waste from hospitals and a complete ban will be imposed on the burning of plastic waste of any kind throughout the district.

Officials said that the Punjab government has established special labs across the province to protect citizens from the dangers of smog.

The district said that a mobile testing lab/station will be installed in the office of the Rawalpindi commissioner to monitor the presence of pollutants/smog in the atmosphere and its effects on human health.

According to the district administration officials, an awareness campaign will be started across the district apprising the citizens of the negative effects of smog and the role they could play to mitigate it.

Officials said that efforts were being made to make the awareness campaign effective so that citizens themselves play a role in mitigating the effects of smog.

Separate counters will be set up in all three allied hospitals in Rawalpindi for checking patients suffering from smog and pollution as it harms the health of citizens and can lead to serious lung, heart and brainrelated illnesses.