LAHORE, Nov 26: The Environment Protection Department has warned the Layyah Sugar Mills management to curb the pollution being caused by the unit in the area or face legal action.

“Bring pH, BOD, COD, TSS, CO and PM within the national environment quality standards limits by adopting engineering solutions to save the public as well as environment to satisfaction of the authority,” says an EPD order issued by Dr Shagufta Shajahan, Director (ML&I/South) to the chief executive of the mills last week.

In case of failure to comply with the order, it warns, legal action under section 17 of the Pakistan Environment Protection Act, 1997, will be initiated against the unit.

The order has been issued following a complaint lodged by Layyah tehsil nazim, alleging that the town residents are suffering from various diseases due to environmental pollution being caused by the mills.

Site inspections by an Environment Protection Agency laboratory team and the Multan district environment officer in February and March, respectively, had found that the pollutants discharged by the mills exceeded NEQS while thick column of smoke containing excessive hazardous particles was also found polluting the air, resulting in chest diseases among local inhabitants.

The inspections also revealed that untreated effluent was contaminating ground and surface water resources, whereas solid waste was being indiscriminately disposed of resulting in air and dust pollution.

The order seeks proper disposal of solid waste before commencement of next crushing season and immediate removal of heaps of garbage lying on the premises of the factory.

The mills administration has been directed to plant maximum trees on and around the unit premises within 60 days, besides submitting a traffic management plan for crushing season to avoid congestion on roads near the mills.

Officials say the mills management was given an opportunity of hearing in April and May, but it failed to satisfy the authorities concerned.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the EPD officials held with environment minister Makhdoom Ashfaq Ahmad in the chair decided to resume vehicle inspection through traffic police, transport department as well as EPD squads, besides establishing centers for the purpose.

An EPD team will also visit Murree shortly to assess implementation of building code for new constructions there as well as volume of pollution in the area. —Staff Reporter