Air monitoring stations set up to tackle smog: Usman Buzdar

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Monday presided over a high-level meeting in his office to review progress on steps taken to tackle smog, ARY News reported.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that the Punjab government is taking every possible measure to overcome smog and air monitoring stations are being set up to provide relevant data.

“Air monitoring stations have been set up in Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan while a special air monitoring station has also been set up across BRB canal to monitor the ash coming through air from across the border due to burning of crops residue there,” said the CM.

“A special mobile lab will start working from October 18 to monitor the air,” the CM added.

He said that ban has been imposed on burning of polythene bags, tyres, rubber and crops residue across the province and section 144 has also been imposed.

The CM directed that indiscriminate action should be initiated on violation of Section 144 and rice chopper should be used to dispose of the residue of rice crop.

The meeting decided to constitute a committee under the chair of federal advisor Amin Aslam to review matters pertaining to brick-kilns. The committee will present its recommendations about transferring brick-kilns to new technology.

The chief minister directed that steps should be taken to stable the prices of bricks and brick-kiln owners should be motivated about the use of zigzag technology.

The health department should arrange public awareness activities while information department should launch a special campaign through print and electronic media for public awareness. The brick-kiln owners association assured the Punjab government about its cooperation.

“Action should also be continued against smoke-emitting vehicles,” ordered the CM.

The chief minister was told in the briefing that 53 brick-kilns have been closed for using wrong fuel and construction of new brick-kilns on the pattern of old design has also been stopped. 50 cases have been registered against people involved in burning of crops residue and 200 industrial units have also been sealed for spreading environmental pollution.

Prime minister’s advisor on climate change Malik Amin Aslam, agriculture minister Malik Nauman Langarial, ACS, Addl. IG (Est), secretaries, high officials and president brick-kiln owners association attended the meeting.