LAHORE, Aug 27: The Punjab environment tribunal on Saturday directed the provincial transport secretary to explain the reasons for availability of new two stroke rickshaws in the market despite a ban on their manufacture and registration.

Comprising Syed Zamir Husain Shah and Mansoor Akbar Kaukab, the tribunal sought the explanation during the hearing of the Eco Watch Trust complaint on conservation of the Lahore Fort.

District Environment Officer Tariq Zaman informed the tribunal that new two stroke rickshaws were freely available in the market with the assurance of the dealers that they would be registered and granted route permits as permission had been given for the manufacture of 40,000 rickshaws before the imposition of the ban on December 31 last year. Regional Transport Authority secretary was directed to explain as to how the route permits were being issued for two-stroke rickshaws despite the imposition of ban by the provincial government.

Director north, Environment Protection Department, submitted that environment protection orders had been issued to 30 steel furnaces and mills in the Badami Bagh area to control emissions likely to damage the Lahore Fort. The owners would be proceeded against for failing to ensure compliance within the specified period.

Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency deputy director Asrar Saeed submitted that the agency was acquiring 30 feet space along the truck stands and fruit and vegetable markets for the construction of a service road for reducing pressure on the Ravi Link Road.

Evacuee Trust Property Board representative Salim Bokhari submitted that a Rs20 million scheme had been approved for the rehabilitation of Ranjit Singh’s Marhi adjacent to the Badshahi Mosque in consultation with the archeology director general. Work on the first phase of the project would commence from September 15 at a cost of Rs2 million.

The tribunal took a serious view of the failure of director general to appear before it and issued a notice to him to give the reasons for his ‘wilful’ absence.

Imran Ahmad Bhatti and Jehanzaib Nazir Malik appeared on behalf of Eco Watch Trust.