RAWALPINDI: The administration is taking strict action in accordance with law against the violators of smog standard operating procedures (SOPs) and lodged 46 first information reports (FIRs) besides imposing fines amounting to Rs1 million on them during anti-smog operations conducted in the Rawalpindi Division in December.

Commissioner (Rawalpindi Division) Saqib Manan said that the officials concerned had been directed to ensure surveillance of the industrial units in their respective areas and also penalise owners of brick kilns for not using modern technology.

The industrial units causing pollution would be dealt with iron hands, he said, adding action would be taken against operators of units for using bad quality fuel or burning old tyres for fuel. The commissioner said efforts were also being made to take action against stone crushers, owners of brick kilns and vehicles for emitting smoke.

It is pertinent to mention here that with the onset of winter in November, smog started to increase, causing air pollution in different cities of Punjab including in Rawalpindi district. The government had formulated a 10-point policy to control pollution, which would remain in force until further notice. Fines against smog emissions have also been increased.

The government had issued a notification banning the burning of all types of crops and garbage, smoke-emitting vehicles, factories, brick kilns and stone-crushing plants in all districts including in the Rawalpindi district.

Transportation of uncovered building material, traffic obstructing parking and all types of dust-blowing activities have also been banned. The fine for crop burning has been increased to Rs50,000, the fine for smoke emitting brick kilns has been increased to Rs100,000, the fine has been increased to Rs2,000 for smoke-emitting vehicles and motorcycles and the fine for smoke-emitting factories, bakeries and stone crushing machines has been increased to Rs50,000.

According to a spokesman of the commissioner’s office, the Rawalpindi administration had also issued a notification instructing the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to take action against smog-emitting set-ups and vehicles. The smog control policy had been put in place by EPD and accordingly squads and teams had also been formed to check violations, he said.

District administration officials said that an awareness campaign had been launched across the district apprising citizens of the negative effects of smog and the role they could play to mitigate it. Efforts are being made to make the awareness campaign effective so that citizens themselves could play a role in mitigating the effects of smog.

EPD officials said that there was a zero-tolerance policy in place against smog-emitting brick kilns, industries and stone-crushing plants. The staff concerned was monitoring the quality of smoke with a special gadget on the G.T. Road and near the motorway in collaboration with traffic police.

They added that the Punjab government had established special laboratories across the province to protect citizens from the dangers of smog. District emergency officer (DEO) Rawalpindi asked drivers to adopt all out precautionary measures in fog. He advised people to avoid unnecessary travelling in fog hours. Keep the fog lights of vehicles on and commute on roads slowly by keeping a reasonable distance between vehicles, he added.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Taimoor Khan urged people to take precautionary measures and follow traffic rules during smog season. Drivers should also attach dense fog lights on to their vehicles, he said.

According to experts, smog is a kind of air pollution which was originally named after smoke and fog mixed in the air. It affects visibility, human health and crops.

Dean of Public Health, Rawalpindi Medical University Professor Syed Arshad Sabir declared the situation dangerous for human health. He said that due to air pollution, problems could arise for residents when they breathe, especially people who have respiratory diseases. Air pollution is also harmful to the health of pregnant women, he added.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2022