The environmental protection department (EPD) has sealed 518 brick kilns and industrial units and imposed over Rs8.6 million worth of fines over spreading smoke and pollution, during an ongoing drive to control smog in the last four months.
Environment Deputy Director Misbahul Haq Khan Lodhi told the media on Sunday said that the department’s teams inspected 1,101 brick kilns and sealed 495 over violations, while imposing a fine worth over Rs7.6 million. At least 53 FIRs were also registered against kiln owners between August 27 and December 15.
Likewise, 264 industrial units were inspected and 23 of them were sealed, while nearly Rs1 million worth of fines were imposed and five FIRs registered during the period.
The official said 199 spots were inspected by the agriculture extension and revenue departments to curb the burning of stubble and fine of Rs388,000 was imposed on farmers, while six cases were registered.
The EPD and traffic police jointly inspected 7,225 vehicles for excessive emissions. The teams challaned 1,824 vehicles over violations and a fine of over Rs1 million was also imposed. Similarly, four awareness meetings were conducted with bus stand managers in this regard.
Lodhi said that every possible step was being taken to avert the impact of smog and the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city was not alarming. He stated that the system to monitor the AQI in the city was being repaired.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2022.
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