Smog-induced pollution rings alarm bells

Amid rising concerns about the deteriorating air quality, the district administration and health department have sounded an alarm, declaring the smog-induced air pollution a pressing public health crisis.

With a strategy reminiscent of how dengue and polio are tackled, they are adopting a zero-tolerance approach towards smog. Under the newly enacted Anti-Smog Act 2023, stern actions will be taken against those responsible for air pollution. The Environment Protection Department is spearheading this effort, which is taking a central role in this operation.

In a coordinated effort, the District Anti-Smog Committee has initiated immediate anti-smog measures in Rawalpindi district, set to commence next week. Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Liaquat Chattha has extended this operation to encompass four districts, including Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum, with weekly progress reports required. Seven specialised squads have been formed by the District Anti-Smog Committee for this crucial undertaking.

The directive is clear: factories contributing to air pollution, kilns, stone crushers, hazardous waste disposal, hospitals, labs, tire burning, fat rendering, garbage incineration, crop residue burning, smoke, and toxic gas-emitting facilities, as well as smoke-emitting vehicles and motorcycles, will face stringent measures and hefty fines.

Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has ordered immediate action against vehicles emitting smoke and gases, mandating the use of environmentally friendly technology in all factories, kilns, and stone-crushing machinery.

As the smog season looms from November 1 to February 28, pre-emptive efforts are under way to encircle and seal smoke and gas-emitting sources, along with imposing fines of up to Rs0.1 million. The goal is to maintain Rawalpindi's air pollution index below 100 to 150 and multiple agencies are actively monitoring and enforcing regulations. Brick kilns, stone crushers, tire shops, crop residue burning, and garbage incineration are all under scrutiny.

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