Vehicles entering city to be checked for smoke

LAHORE:

Punjab Environment Protection Director General Musa Raza has directed the officers concerned to give a final deadline of a week to the owners and transporters of commercial vehicles emitting smoke to improve the fitness of their vehicles.

He said during a visit to Jinnah Terminal at Thokar Niaz Baig and Sagian entry points of the city after the expiry of the stipulated period, indiscriminate action would be taken against the vehicles emitting smoke.

According to the DG the action would not be limited to passenger transport vehicles only, but industrial labour transport, courier services, delivery vans, bakery supply vehicles and all commercial vehicles entering Lahore daily would also be subject to checking and legal action.

He also issued strict instructions regarding tractor-trolleys and other vehicles transporting construction material, saying that seven-day notices should also be issued to them.

Implementation of dust SOPs would be mandatory for all vehicles carrying sand, soil, gravel and other construction material.

Musa Raza said no vehicle would be allowed to enter Lahore without completely covering the construction material. If any vehicle is found violating the prescribed SOPs, its material will be confiscated on the spot, the vehicle stopped form operating for three days and a fine imposed on the persons responsible for the violation.