HYDERABAD: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) issued certain guidelines on Tuesday to the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to control environmental pollution in the project of Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-9).

Guidelines were issued at a public hearing held at a local hotel, presided over by Sepa Director General Naeem Ahmed Mughal and attended by all stakeholders and residents of the area where the Motorway is to be built. NHA Project Director Dr Jamal Shaikh was also present.

Sharing details of environmental management, Saqib Aijaz of NHA’s consulting firm briefed the participants that M-9 included eight interchanges which would require around 300 acres of land.

Various social issues were raised by the participants particularly those relating to businesses in the area besides there was apprehension of resettlement of population and issues of filling stations, CNG stations and restaurants for which a detailed policy is required.

He said the NHA had given the contract of this project to the FWO for completion of 136Km long highway which would pass through Karachi east, Malir, Thatta and Jamshoro. It was to be completed in 30 months, he added.

The participants discussed issues involving impact of chemicals and aspects of geographical and medical nature. Proposals for controlling environmental problems were also submitted in line with Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014.

Addressing the gathering, DG Naeem Ahmed Mughal said the NHA and FWO were required to take every possible measure to control environmental pollution in an effective manner so that proper road safety measures were ensured and lives of people could be protected. He said plantation along the Motorway must be taken care of on a regular basis. He emphasised the need for establishment of recreation spots for people on all interchanges. He said compensation should be provided to affected people in lieu of their land being acquired for the project and proposals and recommendations that were part of environmental impact assessment should be strictly adhered to for making this project people and environment-friendly.

He said that 2014 act should be strictly followed.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2015

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