LAHORE: For the protection of environment, Commissioner retired Capt Muhammad Usman on Thursday imposed strict conditions for construction of commercial buildings in the Lahore division, including making the rooftop area 70 per cent green and installing electric vehicle (EV) charger facility in the parking.

He issued directions for imposing several conditions for issuance of no objection certificate (NOC) for the construction of commercial buildings and made it compulsory for petrol filling stations to have a portion for installing electric charging facility to get the NOC.

The divisional committee reviewed the initial environmental examination (IEE) report and site inspection report arranged by the inspector (environment) and other supporting documents regarding the Judicial Employees Cooperative Housing Scheme in a meeting last week.

The Divisional Environmental Approval Committee accorded approval for construction of the proposed project of six-storey plaza in the abovementioned scheme under Section-6 of the Punjab Environmental Protection (Delegation of Powers for Environmental Approvals) Rules 2017.

They include 70pc green rooftop, EV charger facility in parking

The approval for construction also imposed several conditions for getting the no objection certificate and they included compliance of Punjab Environmental Quality Standards (PEQS) and Rules and Regulations framed under the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997 (Amended), adherence to mitigation measures to minimise any negative impacts on soil, groundwater, air and biological resources of the project area, maintenance of record for verification of auditable adopted measures, monitoring during the entire period of the project activities and submission of monthly monitoring reports to the EPA.

The document further stated that the proponent shall not discharge untreated wastewater into surface water body and install proper treatment facility for recycling and conservation of water, have rainwater harvesting or storage arrangement, separate lines for sewerage and grey water, eco-friendly design of the building and use techniques to make the building energy-efficient.

It stated the proponent shall take measures to conserve water resources and biodiversity, ensure provision of strict and efficient health and safety measures for protection of workers backed by a comprehensive emergency response system and proper firefighting arrangements besides emergency exit in the building.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2021