As the Rawalpindi district administration continues its crackdown on smoke-emitting industrial units, vehicles and brick kilns to curb smog in the garrison city, a high-ranking official has suggested a novel solution.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema told The Express Tribune said the administration was considering a pilot project to get more government employees to commute using bicycles.
In the initial phase, a quota of five to ten employees from each government office will be required to consistently travel to work via bicycles, said Cheema. “Specifically, young government employees will be mandated to commute to their offices using bicycles.”
He said the initiative would enhance their well-being and also discourage the usage of cars or motorcycles for commuting purposes.
As part of these efforts, the district administration would also organize a cycle rally as part of a campaign to combat smog and air pollution. He said it was part of measures to reduce the volume of vehicles on the roads. It would include adding bicycles and making the street bike-friendly, which would have a positive impact on air quality, he continued.
Read: Electric bikes gain traction
Along with these measures, the department was continuing its operation targeting vehicles, industrial units, and brick kilns contributing to smog, said Cheema while adding that no offenders would evade accountability.
The official said that penalties of Rs0.9 million had been imposed on 15 industrial units emitting smoke so far. Fines amounting to Rs350,000 have been levied on 30 brick kilns causing air pollution, with two of these kilns being sealed due to their contribution to environmental degradation.
Moreover, 3,370 vehicles have been issued challans over emissions. It has resulted in fines pf Rs1.928 million.
The anticipated benefits encompass cost savings, improved health, and a reduced contribution to air pollution, he concluded.
Electric bikes
Ibrahim Hasan Murad, the provincial caretaker transport minister, said on Tuesday that the government was ‘all set’ to launch electric bikes.
The e-bikes would be cost-effective and government employees would also be provided electric bikes on lease, he said.
He added that surveillance cameras part of the Safe City project would be used to identify smoke-emitting vehicles, with the owners facing punitive action.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2023.
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