Air quality worsens in twin cities

Pindi admin issues order to crack down on smoke-emitting factories and vehicles

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:

With the onset of winter, air pollution in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad has started to increase to an alarming level.

The air pollution in the garrison city again jumped to 154 on the air quality index (AQI).

The Rawalpindi administration has formed a 12-member committee to monitor and contain air pollution across the district

The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner has issued orders to heads of all institutions to take action against smoke-emitting setups, factories, stone-crushing units and vehicles.

Last week, the environmental protection department sealed two smoke-emitting brick kilns and four stone-crushing units while traffic police impounded 11 smoke-emitting vehicles.

Civil Defence Senior Instructor Sadaf Zahoor said that the fine amount has also been increased this year. She said that smoke-emitting brick kilns can be fined up to Rs0.1 million and vehicles up to Rs2,000.

Earlier, Punjab Ministry of Environment Secretary Dr Naeem Rauf said that smog is likely to exacerbate in winter and the ongoing drive aimed to 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.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2022.