ISLAMABAD: In response to the escalating air pollution concerns, the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has issued urgent appeals to various government departments to combat smog and deteriorating air quality, attributed to vehicular emissions and construction projects.

According to Director General Farzana Altaf Shah, vehicular emissions were responsible for “nearly 40-45 per cent” of the air pollution. She identified dust from construction projects as the second major contributor.

According to Ms Shah, mega construction ventures, including projects like the E-11 interchange and the Margalla Town underpass, significantly exacerbated the air quality concerns.

Pak-EPA appealed to the inspector general of police, traffic police, and the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce (ICCI) asking for support to control air pollution and smog in the capital territory. It specifically directed its attention to the Capital Development Authority (CDA), urging it to take immediate action to control dust emissions from several ongoing projects, notably the extension of Park View Road, the 10th Avenue, and various crossings in E-11 and D-12 areas. Additionally, it highlighted the need for strict measures to curb the burning of solid waste and agricultural residue within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

Faizabad, G-14, Karnal Sher Khan Road, Lehtrar Road identified as vehicular emission hotspots

Farzana Shah emphasised the agency’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations, citing legal notices served on owners of high-rise buildings in Sector B-17 for violating environmental laws. Furthermore, she raised concerns about the unauthorised construction of Margalla Road through some areas of the Margalla Hills National Park, which remained a contentious issue in court.

In a bid to address vehicular emissions, Pak-EPA requested the traffic police to intensify surveillance of smoke-emitting vehicles and also proposed banning such vehicles within the ICT limits from mid-November to February-end. It also suggested strict legal measures, including fines, for non-compliance.

Director General Farzana Shah highlighted specific areas, such as Faizabad, G-14, Karnal Sher Khan Road, and Lehtrar Road, identifying them as vehicular emission hotspots with PM2.5 levels surpassing permissible standards.

PM2.5, fine particulate matter, poses severe health risks, including heart disease, asthma, and low birth weight, emphasising the urgent need for comprehensive action.

She said that the Pak-EPA continued to update the air quality index regularly on social media platforms, urging public awareness and action to combat the alarming pollution levels in Islamabad.

The agency stressed the criticality of instituting an annual vehicular fitness mechanism and environmental certification for industries to mitigate smog. They underscored the necessity for compliance with international best practices at traffic signals to minimise emissions from idling vehicles.

“Idling at traffic signals has become a major cause of emissions,” she said. The battle against the rising smog in Islamabad necessitated immediate and collaborative efforts from all concerned authorities, as air quality continued to pose severe health risks to the capital’s residents.

One of the reasons particulate matter (PM) 2.5 remained higher in Islamabad during nights than the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards due to the heavy truck traffic permitted on the Islamabad Expressway and around Sabzi Mandi and in the outskirts of the federal capital.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2023