Punjab govt notifies smog prevention measures

Lahore: The Punjab government on Thursday publicized several measures to curb smog levels, in addition to banning stubble burning practices and vehicles emitting visible smoke particles and pollutants in a bid to control the persistent deterioration in the Air Quality Index of the province, according to the news sources.

Read: Smog Control Measures: Kilns to be closed for two months

As per the announcement, the air quality index of the province is showing continuous deterioration trend. The quality levels have fallen from the ‘satisfactory’ to ‘moderate’ and ranking, which is expected to cause breathing problems and respiratory tract diseases including asthma and heart-related ailments.

Moreover, the official notification issued by the Punjab government has issued the following list of activities that are banned to prevent smog:

• The burning of any type of crop residue or solid waste, tires, rubber and plastics.
• The vehicles emitting visible smoke and pollutants that are categorized under the inadmissible limits.
• Any industrial or factory unit operating without the emission control system and contributes to the deterioration of the air quality.
• Any stone crushers operating without the wet scrubbers.
• Sale and use of all substandard fuels.
• Any encroachments/parking stands which hinder the smooth traffic flow on public roads including footpaths.
• Any activities contributing the generations of fugitive dust.
• Any open and uncovered dumpling/storage of construction materials
• The uncovered transportation of construction and other materials like sand, cement and mud.
• The brick kilns are informed that those kilns operating on old methodology shall be not be allowed to operate and only those operating on zigzag technology will be allowed to operate – under the standard operating procedures (SOPs) devised by the provincial Environment Protection Department.

Read: PDMA to manage Punjab’s plan to mitigate, prevent smog this winter

Also, it is informed that all kilns should convert to zigzag technology by December 2020. In addition, it is notified that any violators of the above-mentioned conditions will be facing legal consequences.