Call to implement anti-smog measures
Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha has said the risk of pollution will persist till the end of November, thus all essential precautions should be taken to avoid it.
“The main cause of smog is the smoke-emitting vehicles, brick kilns and burning of crop residues,” he said. “In this regard, action should be taken against all vehicles emitting smoke,” he added.
The commissioner said two Vehicle Inspection and Certification Centres (VICs) were active in district Rawalpindi and one each in Attock and Chakwal. He directed the Jhelum deputy commissioner to establish a VIC in his district immediately so that it can be made necessary for all vehicles to obtain a fitness certificate before coming on the road.
“Along with this, the environment department should also monitor the brick kilns and ensure their transition to zigzag technology,” the commissioner said.
Chattha said a certificate should be obtained from every landowner that they will never burn their crop residue. The commissioner expressed these views while presiding over a meeting held at the Commissioner's Office regarding anti-smog activities.
Additional Commissioner Coordination Syed Nazarat Ali, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Nabil Sindhu, Secretary RTA, and Deputy Director Environment Maria Safir attended the meeting in person while the deputy commissioners of Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal participated through the video link.
On this occasion, while giving out details about the operations carried out in Rawalpindi, Secretary RTA said since August 1, 2023, 1,363 vehicles have been checked by the RTA and City Traffic Police. “814 challans were served and 86 vehicles were impounded while a total fine of more than Rs700,000 was imposed,” he said.
The Rawalpindi commissioner directed that impounded vehicles should not be released without obtaining a fitness certificate from VICs.
Earlier, the participants of the meeting were informed by the environment department that there were a total of 126 brick kilns in Rawalpindi. 64 notices were issued, 30 FIRs registered and a fine of Rs1,600,000 was imposed during 244 raids against these brick kilns.
Similarly, during the checking of stone crushers, 11 notices were issued, two premises were sealed and a fine of Rs400,000 was imposed.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2023.