Senate Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has expressed serious concern over the damage to environment with the elimination of green belt area and scenic views of the capital city Islamabad due to construction of Metro-Bus-Project.
"Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency has approved environment impact assessment about Metro-Bus-project after the start of construction work on the project which is in violation of the PPRA rules. The project started in hurry did not think of the environmental impact and damage to green area of the Capital," the environment experts told the Committee.
The Sub-Committee met with Senator Kamil Ali Agha in the chair at Parliament House on Wednesday. Senators Syeda Sughra Imam, Begum Najma Hameed, Dr Saeeda Iqbal, environment experts and members of private organisations and civil society Dr Jawad Chisti, Muhammad Bilal, Dr Dushka Syed, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Maroof Afzal, and other officials participated in the meeting.
While discussing the environmental impact of Metro-Bus-Project, Dr Jawad Chisti told the Committee that Metro-Bus-Project would cause irreparable damage to the green belts by concretising two major avenues beyond the permissible limits allowed by the city's mater plan. He said that more than 1000 plants and trees, ranging from two years to decades old face the axe. He said that temperature of Islamabad has increased 7 degree due to eliminating the trees and greenery of the city.
Convenor of the Committee Senator Kamal Ali Agha said that the environmental situation of Islamabad is alarming. He said that greenery and views of Islamabad attract the foreigners and citizens from outside the city. He said the Metro-Bus-Project is seriously damaging the environment of the City. He said many precious trees were axed and green areas were eliminated in Islamabad due to huge construction. Sughra Imam said that the project was approved in March while public hearing, environment assessment and tendering of the Project were conducted in April which is serious violation of PPRA rules.
Begum Najma Hameed of PML-N said that Metro-Bus Project has been started to facilitate the common man and the employees of the government. She said that such project was also criticised before launch in Lahore. Now, the people are getting relief and enjoying the facility of modern transport.
The members also raised question about start of development project by a provincial government in federal area. The Director General Environment Protection Agency (EPA) informed the Committee about as many as 27 questions raised by his agency regarding the environmental damage. He said that notices were also issued to companies concerned to start work before tendering and feasibility of the project. He said that EPA also held public hearing to listen the views of the civil society. Dr Dushka said that temperature of Islamabad has been increased due to use of concrete in construction. She said that there is no track facility for disabled persons and cyclists.
While briefing the Committee, CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal said that there is no restriction for federal and provincial governments for starting development work in areas of each other limit under Article-146 of the Constitution. He said that Metro-Bus-Project is a joint adventure of Federal and Punjab governments. He said that 50 percent cost of the project would be borne by each of the government.