TAXILA: The local administration of Hassanabdal and environment protection department (EPD) on Tuesday sealed a brick kiln and a stone crushing plant and also imposed heavy fines for violating environmental laws to control an alarming rise in smog and atmospheric pollution.

Moreover, an illegal filling station was sealed in Pour Miana and two in the Rakh Kheri Mar area in Burhan.

Assistant Commissioner Dr Sana Ramchand told newsmen that the action was being taken under orders from the provincial government and deputy commissioner to rein in smog-causing units.

“The deputy commissioner’s office has given sufficient time and sent multiple notices to the plant owners to comply with environmental rules and regulations. However, they failed to act on the instructions,” she added.

The local administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against atmospheric pollution and it would not accept any negligence in an ongoing anti-smog drive, she said.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2023