Vehicular Emissions Monitoring And Control Campaign in Islamabad Pakistan January, 2024
The successful collaboration between the Environmental Monitoring Team of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) and the Islamabad Traffic Police during the week-long Vehicular Emission Control and Monitoring Campaign from January 9 to January 17, 2024, is documented here. The primary objective of the initiative was to address the escalating concern of air pollution in Islamabad attributed to vehicular emissions, particularly during the dry winter spell and its role in contributing to smog formation. Mandated by Article 11 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997, the campaign was led by Ms. Farzana Altaf Shah, Director General, Pak-EPA, and Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Director (Lab/NEQS), Pak-EPA, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. Encompassing seven strategic locations, including major gateways, entry and exit points, and central areas, the campaign focused on comprehensive monitoring and control of vehicular emissions. Key locations included G-14 Srinagar Highway, GT Road near I-14, Srinagar Highway G-9 Exit Point, Islamabad Express Highway PWD Exit, 9th Avenue I -9 Entry Point, Shahpur Bypass Bharakahu, and D-Chowk and Aabpara Chowk, centrally located in the heart of the city. The inspection covered 383 vehicles across categories such as buses, vans, cars, minitrucks, trucks, and tractors, identifying Heavy Transport Vehicles (HTV) using Diesel fuel as primary contributors to smoke emissions. Rigorous testing focused on soot carbon smoke emissions, resulting in fines for 27% of vehicles exceeding NEQS emission levels by over 40% according to the Ringelmann scale. This collaborative effort underscores Pak-EPA and Islamabad Traffic Police's dedication to sustainable urban living and sets a precedent for future environmental protection initiatives. The campaign's success emphasizes the continuous need for monitoring and enforcement to address air quality concerns in the capital city, fostering a healthier environment for residents.