In a bid to control air pollution, Punjab government would take a decision very soon to set up 'test centres' throughout the province for vehicles examination, which would issue fitness certificates to the motor vehicle owners, who would also be able to pay token tax there. Punjab Environment Minister, Makhdoom Ashfaque disclosed this while addressing a seminar on 'Action plan for controlling vehicular pollution', that was jointly organised by Environment Department, City District Government Lahore, and Atlas Honda here on Thursday.
The Minister further said that in the proposed test centres, vehicle examiners would check brakes, light, ignition fitness, etc, and only after passing the required standard, a fitness certificate would be issued, which would be placed on a windscreen.
"On the spot vehicle maintenance work and CNG service would be available at the proposed centres," he added.
According to him, pollution was a matter of grave concern in Lahore that was destroying the beauty of Lahore. Untreated water was flowing in River Ravi, which in turn absorb in our food cycle.
Moreover, two-stroke rickshaws were causing air pollution. Thus, the government had decided to ban manufacturing of two-stroke rickshaws and replace it with four-stroke rickshaws.
This should not offend the rickshaw drivers; instead they should help the government in its efforts to ensure clean air. With passage of time the government would phase out two-stroke rickshaws from the city.
Makhdoom informed the audience that they would also ask the transporters to replace their bus fleets after five years and that too CNG ones.
He said that the government would also import CNG four-stroke rickshaws and buses as models, which our local manufacturers could replicate and they could borrow from the Punjab government's Green Funds for the said purpose.
"Green Funds was established for environment-friendly projects and it was available to anyone, who wants to work on technologies that was friendly to environment," he added.
He directed the Environment Department to resume the campaign against adulterated Mobil oil sellers, which was one of the prime causes for air pollution and playing havoc with the people's lives.
Ghouse Akbar, Chairman of Chief Minister's Task Force Punjab, Lahore Nazim Mian Amir Mahmood, also addressed the seminar.
They were of the view that air pollution was a big issue in the city that needs to be checked; hence all the stakeholders should collectively ponder on the matter for a solution.
They further said that message of clean environment was reaching common man, rather it was confined to five-star hotels. Thus, they suggested spreading environment message at the grass root level.
They lamented the rickshaw drivers for obstructing the induction of four-stroke rickshaws that would help in reducing air pollution.
DCO Lahore Khalid Sultan, Ahmed Saeed of IUCN, and representatives of Atlas Honda and Qingqi Motors Limited gave presentations on vehicular pollution and remedies.
Comments
Comments are closed.