30 September 2004	Thursday	14 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Sept 29: The adviser to chief minister on environment and alternate energy, Noman Saigol, has announced that a 12-day drive against smoke emitting vehicles will be launched from Oct 2 in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur.

Addressing a press conference at Sindh Secretariat on Wednesday, he said that a meeting would be organized with transport owners to inform them about the campaign and asking them to cooperate with the government.

"In the fist phase, the campaign will be started in defunct district south of Karachi and gradually it will be carried out in other districts and cities. Tibet Centre, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Numaish and FTC signal has been identified to visit first," he added.

He said that traffic police would actively participate in the campaign so that implementation on laws could be ensured. "There can be a fine of Rs10,000 and imprisonment for six months for the owner of vehicle, as driver is not being held liable for smoke emission, while their fitness certificate will also be checked," he said adding that they would educate transporters about the bad effects of pollution on their health.

He said that oil companies selling substandard oil were also contributing in air pollution. "Traffic police and all concerned departments should extend their help in this regard. Non- cooperative officers will be issued notices," he added.

The adviser said that a medical camp would also be set up particularly for drivers and cleaners. "I have talked to private sector for running a fitness centre, while we are also going to impose complete ban on two stroke rickshaws," he said.

About water treatment plant in Korangi, he said that it had been stopped for more than two months, as some members including owners of 85 tanneries had not paid their share in the project.

He said that this was a project of Rs500 million of which only 69 per cent of amount had been received so far. "Notices have been issued to defaulters, but all unheard," he added.

Noman Saigol said if owners of tanneries did not cooperate with the government, it would think to shift all tanneries out of the city. He urged them to pay their share to avoid legal action. -PPI