Smog hits twin cities

Govt approves crackdown against major polluters, including vehicles and factories

RAWALPINDI:

With the onset of winter, smog has begun to envelop the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

In consideration of the smoggy conditions, the government has approved plans for the control and prevention of smog and has issued orders for its implementation.

Air pollution in Rawalpindi has already reached dangerous levels as the air pollution index has hit 204 in Pindi, and 188 in Islamabad. It has reached 120 in Murree, 127 in Attock, 152 in Chakwal and 155 in Jhelum, and is expected to increase further as air pollution continues to increase.

The Environment Protection Department and District Administration has issued orders to immediately conduct daily crackdowns on smog-emitting vehicles, motorcycles, factories, stone crusher machines and brick kilns in all districts of Rawalpindi Division to control the smog.

Immediate action has already been ordered against extraction of black oil through the burning of tires and crop residues. Cases will be registered against those who engage in such activities. Suspects will be arrested and fines up to Rs0.3 million will be imposed on them.

Each department has been assigned separate responsibilities for the anti-smog operation. Under which the agriculture department has been tasked with taking action against those who set fire to the crops, while the regional transport authority will take action against vehicles and motorcycles that emit smoke.

The Environment Department will take action against smoke emitting machinery and absence of zigzag technology, stone crusher machines and hospitals which are spreading hazardous medical waste.

To efficiently control fire incidents in the fields it has hired educated youth as helpers in all the major villages and other areas. Dedicated WhatsApp numbers have been assigned to them, through which they are required to report any fire incidents that occur in their respective areas.

This will alert the concerned police station administration, and they will immediately reach the location and take action.

Meanwhile local bodies have been made responsible for taking action against those who set garbage on fire.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner, Hasan Waqar Cheema has ordered the heads of all concerned agencies to immediately start operations by forming teams.

He has directed that the operations should be conducted on a daily basis. He further said that there will be zero tolerance for the hazards of smog and that action will be taken against negligent department and officers.