EPD razes nine pyrolysis plants at Margallas

Twin cities admin and police also take part in grand operation

RAWALPINDI:

In a grand operation, the Punjab Environment Protection Department, the administration of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and the police bulldozed nine pyrolysis plants that produce oil and carbon by burning car tires at the Margalla Hills and arrested two suspects over violation of environment laws.

Around 400 tonnes of toxic carbon and 10 drums of oil produced from the pyrolysis plants were also seized during the joint raid.

The operation was supervised by EPD Deputy Director Maria Bibi and the Taxila Assistant Commissioner who were accompanied by a heavy contingent of police from Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

According to sources, the establishment of these plants has been banned by the federal and provincial governments. These plants produce the thickest and blackest toxic smoke and carbon from tire burning.

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Despite the ban, residents of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had built these clandestine plants in the hills of Margalla, against whom a major operation was conducted on reports.

The EPD deputy director said the anti-smog operation was going on across the district. “Pyrolysis plants and stone crusher machines will not be allowed to be installed in the areas at the junction of the twin cities. Both of these produce toxic types of smog, which cannot be allowed,” she said.

“Now we are also taking action against smoke-emitting vehicles, brick kilns and factories,” she added. “Several kilns have been demolished in the district and heavy penalties will now be imposed.”

On the other hand, the anti-smog committees have been activated in all tehsils of the district. All kilns, stone crushers, factories, power plants and hospital administrations have been issued a red warning and a zero-tolerance policy has also been implemented.

“By installing these plants at the confluence of the twin cities, the mafia takes advantage of the boundaries of the twin cities,” she said. “Now we have started joint operations in such areas to counter such activities,” she added.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2023.