PESHAWAR – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has allocated Rs239 Million to address environmental problems in the province. Rs70 Million will be used to purchase mobile air quality monitor stations for Peshawar.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) currently does not have an air quality monitoring station in the provincial capital.
Dawn was informed by officials that the Provincial Development Working Party, (PDWP), had approved a PC-1 with this effect towards end of last year.
Additionally, the KP EPA, provincial environment department, and the KP EPA have proposed several measures to reduce high concentrations (PM 2.5) of particulate matter in the capital.
Peshawar to purchase mobile air quality monitoring stations for Rs70m
A federal EPA report on Peshawar’s air quality was prepared earlier this month. It showed that there was a high concentration of PM2.5 in the provincial capital, and worsening conditions near roadsides.
The EPA conducted an air monitoring study in four areas in the provincial capital. It found that PM 2.5, which refers to inhalable particulate, was at its highest levels from Hayatabad to the city’s urban area. According to the survey, the highest points were located near Haji Camp Adda along the roadsides.
Dr Shahzad Khan Bangash, the provincial chief secretary, also gave specific tasks to the relevant departments in order to take the appropriate steps to reduce air pollution in the provincial capital.
Officials stated that the transport department was given the task of controlling the emissions from poorly tuned petrol and diesel vehicles.
According to an official document, the Transport department should increase vehicle inspections and remove any vehicles that are not in compliance with standards. The local government department was also given the responsibility of improving the shoulders and dust on unpaved roads, as well as the median.
The document stated that the LG department and Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar must pave the unpaved sides of roads. They should also ensure that the median of the roads is cleaned during daily sweeping and that dust is removed immediately.
Both entities were also given tasks to ensure timely collection and pick up of solid waste, and to direct the sweeping staff to not set fire to the solid waste.
Traffic police have been assigned the task of making sure that material is not transported without adequate coverage with tarpaulin.
District administration were also directed by the court to impose Sections 144 on the opening of brick kilns for solid waste burning, rubber and Rexine burning. A new NOC will not be issued to brick kilns using conventional type bricks. All bricks kilns should be converted to the zigzag type.
The EPA, on the other hand, has made its own recommendations for improving air quality in the provincial capital. It also recommended reducing particulate matter. Roadside barbeques and open-air barbeques were the main polluters in our survey.
According to the report, barbecues are responsible for two types of pollutant.
It said that microscopic specks or grease, which escape from meat when it is hot, can be seen in the air and contribute to dangerous particle pollution. Additionally, coal burning increases carbon emissions.
The study recommended a pilot project that would provide electric grills powered from renewable energy, as well as better barbecue stand designs. They would also be pushed back from the roadside. To entertain customers, hundreds of restaurants have opened-air traditional barbecues in the city.
Published in Dawn, February 5, 20, 222.