MUZAFFARABAD:The Environmental Protection Agency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK-EPA) has launched the Vehicular Emission Testing System to evaluate vehicle emissions against theState Environmental Quality Standards (SEQS), senior officials said on Thursday.

“Mechanically unfit vehicles are often responsible for lethal emissions. The key purpose of this initiative, named the Vehicle Emission Control Programme, is to assess the contribution of vehicular emissions to the smog phenomenon in our state,” AJK’s Secretary for Environment Amir Mahmood Mirza said at a media briefing in his office.

On Wednesday, during the inaugural activity held at Rasheedabad on Jhelum Valley Road, in collaboration with the AJK Transport Authority and Traffic Police, a total of 45 public transport and heavy vehicles were tested. Of these, 32 met the permissible emission levels and received “PASS” stickers on their windscreens. The remaining vehicles, which exceeded the limits, were marked with “WARNING” stickers, along with brief instructions to undertake corrective measures immediately.

On Thursday, a similar activity was conducted at Kamsar on Neelum Valley Road, where 39 vehicles were inspected. Of these, 20 received “PASS” stickers, while the rest were affixed with “WARNING” stickers.

Underscoring the EPA’s commitment to environmental protection, Secretary Mirza said: “Our goal is to implement effective measures to combat environmental pollution, and reducing toxic gas emissions is a crucial part of this process.”

He added that the primary objective of this testing initiative was to ensure the environment remained free from harmful gases. “Alongside testing, we are educating transporters and the public through awareness campaigns about the adverse effects of unfit vehicles on air quality,” he said.

“We will also maintain a formal record of non-compliant vehicles to share with the Transport Authority and Traffic Police to ensure that necessary mechanical repairs are completed before these vehicles are allowed back on the roads.”

AJK-EPA Director Shafiq Abbasi, who was also present during the media briefing, highlighted the need for collaboration with the Transport Authority, which currently lacks an emission certification system.

“The Transport Authority can direct owners of public and private transport to obtain emissions certificates from the EPA,” he said.

“The EPA will urge the Transport Authority not to issue or renew the fitness certificate or route permit of any vehicle without a valid emissions certificate. Stickers on windscreens will enable the Traffic Police to easily identify problematic vehicles,” he added.

Mr Abbasi explained that since only one testing system is currently available for all of AJK, it has been mounted on a Suzuki van to serve as a mobile laboratory, ensuring accessibility across the region.

He further informed that the inspection drive in Muzaffarabad would continue for the next week before the mobile lab moves to other parts of AJK.

“This initiative will remain a continuous regulatory activity of the EPA,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 22th, 2024