Smoke-emitting units served notices

Anti-smog squads formed to curb pollution in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Environment Protection Department under the new smog policy has issued red notices to 270 brick kilns, 30 stone crushing units, and numerous factories and bakeries throughout the district to eliminate smog.

These establishments have been asked to swiftly adopt environment-friendly technology to curb smog emissions.

Under the new policy, a warning has been issued, stating that manufacturing units failing to comply with the regulations will face demolition. Additionally, the department has decided to take legal action against those who were fined last year for emitting smoke and not adopting eco-friendly technology during the 2022 smog season.

To ensure strict compliance, the Environment Protection Department is currently compiling a list of all the kilns, stone-crushing units, and factories, and issuing notices to each of them.

To enforce these regulations effectively, an anti-smog squad has been established, and operations to curb smog have commenced district-wide.

Senior Research Officer Muhammad Amin Baig highlighted that the fines under the new anti-smog policy and rules have been increased significantly. Violators will now face a fine of Rs0.1 million for the first offense, and if they violate again, their kilns will be sealed.

Furthermore, the fines for vehicles emitting smoke have been raised from Rs2,000 to Rs4,000, the penalty for burning garbage has increased from Rs5,000 to Rs1,0000, and factories emitting smoke will now be fined Rs1,00000, up from the previous amount of Rs6,0000.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2023.