39 factories sealed for causing pollution

Punjab Environmental Protection Department has sealed 39 factories in Northern Lahore during a campaign against environmental pollution. As per details, on the complaints of citizens of Northern Lahore, a raiding team was constituted under District Officer Environment Younis Zahid, which sealed steel re-rolling mills for using old tyres, carbon powder of tyres, coal powder without wet scrubber and producing tyre powder by extracting oil from old tyres. The mills and factories which have been sealed include 22 steel re-rolling mills, 12 charcoal drum melting units, three furnaces, pyrolysis plants and tyre carbons godowns.
Secretary Environment Iqbal Ahmed Chauhan has issued instructions to all Environment Officers to take stern action against the mills and factories causing environmental pollution which is dangerous to human health. He said that factory owners should make arrangements for safe fuel and refrain from using substandard fuel in their factories.
He said that environment friendly safety equipment should be installed in the factories. He said that action will be continued against the factories causing danger to human health and their cases will be sent to Environment Tribunal.
Director General Environment Javed Iqbal said that no leniency will be shown to factories and mills violating the law. Meanwhile Punjab Secretary Environment Iqbal Muhammad Chauhan has said that five firms have submitted their offers to prepare study/feasibility report for treatment of domestic and toxic industrial waste of Hudiara Drain before its release into River Ravi. This project will cost Rs 21.320 million, he added.
The Provincial Secretary said that due attention will be given in the feasibility/study report to the fact how much domestic and industrial waste is being released in Hudiara Drain and which technology and treatment plant should be installed. Similarly, it will also be considered how much land will be required. Provincial Secretary further said that completion of this project will help control release of polluted water of Hudiara Drain into River Ravi and damage to environment.