To curb air/water pollution in the federal capital, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is all set to launch a massive campaign to monitor two industrial estates in I-9 and I-10 sectors for spreading pollution, it was reliably learnt on Thursday.
Under the proposed anti-pollution drive, the CDA's directorate general of environment will collect samples of solid waste and dust particles emitting from the hoods of most hazardous industrial units to check the ratio of toxic gases in air, the source added.
Public awareness factor will also be a part of this campaign, an official said, adding the proposal has been sent to the environment director general for final approval.
The decision was taken on the directives of the CDA chairman for creating healthy atmosphere for the capital residents by removing industries spreading pollution.
An official of the authority told this correspondent that the CDA has already achieved its 50 percent target of controlling water and air pollution.
The environment directorate is also considering serving of notices to owners of at least four steel furnaces set up in I-9 and I-10 sectors to install wet scrubbers for dispersal of hazardous smoke.
These furnaces are: Zia Steel, Al-Hadeed Steel, Pak Steel and S. H. Steel, as nearly three furnaces have already adopted environment-friendly system under the CDA's directives.
However, it is being worked out whether to issue such notices under Environment Protection Order (EPO) or municipal by-laws of the authority, official said.
There were seven steel furnaces in two industrial estates, out of which three have changed their trade or acquired wet scrubbers.
The most punitive action, which the CDA senior magistrate could take, is to impose a fine of not more than Rs1000 while the environment protection agency may fine up to Rs10,0000 per day under the EPO.
The CDA had given six months time period to these steel mills in March 2003 to install pollution control system.
Around 600 factories are operating in these two industrial estates. Most of these units were spreading water and air pollution in the area.
Out of these 600 existing plants, there are 204 manufacturing units including steel furnaces, ghee/oil mills, GI pipes, soap, chemical, plastic, marble, chillies/spices and printing, which have either none or inadequate facilities for treatment of their emissions.
The residents of I-9 and I-10 sectors frequently complain about diseases like chest congestion and asthma, which are directly linked to air pollution.
The number of major pollutant industrial units in Islamabad are: steel furnaces (7), marble (32), GI pipes (2), ghee/oil (4), soap/chemicals (18), polymer (1), plastic/polyphone (4), flour mills (10), PVC pipes (1), beverages (1) and chillies/spices grinding (1), sources in the EPA revealed.