Karachi: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on Thursday announced its decision to take certain measures for maintaining the city’s improved air-quality levels recorded in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown, a news source reported.
According to the details issued, SEPA has decided to take steps for controlling industrial and vehicular emissions on an emergency basis in order to maintain the 40% improved air-quality levels experienced in Karachi during the lockdown period. In this regard, the agency has issued orders to all industrial associations to monitor air quality in their vicinities, and to also keep a check on the air quality degradation. Furthermore, SEPA has asked the city’s industrialists to plant a huge number of saplings in and around their factories.
The SEPA has asked the industries to submit their tree plantation plans within one week. The authority further asked them to improve the conditions of the bus shuttle services to control air emissions. Additionally, the agency has also decided to re-launch its vehicular emission control campaign across Karachi. Under this campaign, SEPA will fine or penalise smoke-emitting vehicles with assistance from the city traffic police.
