Punjab is all set to launch a crackdown against polluting Heavy Transport Vehicles (HTVs) of public and private sector educational institutions, hospitals and industries.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Punjab has directed institutions to ensure inspection and maintenance of HTVs through the Vehicle Inspection & Certification System (VICS) established by the Transport Department.
Violation of this order could result in the imposition of a penalty and even the impounding of polluting HTVs.
“All public and private educational institutions, healthcare establishments, as well as industrial units shall ensure inspection and maintenance of their Heavy Transport Vehicles through Vehicle Inspection & Certification System (VICS), duly established by Transport Department, employed for pick & drop of students and/or staff. Any contravention to this order shall be dealt with as per the relevant legal framework”, reads a notification issued by the EPA Punjab Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh.
“The EPA Punjab may impound, with the help of local Police, the motor vehicle which is being operated in contravention of these rules after the days mentioned on the direction slip or even after the imposition of administrative penalty”, the notification reads.
Punjab is witnessing the devastating impact of smog that is likely to persist during the ongoing winter season. Emissions caused by faulty and improperly maintained vehicles have been identified as one of the major contributors to smog formation.
As per the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997, no person shall operate a motor vehicle from which air pollutants or noise are being emitted in an amount, concentration or level which is in excess of the Punjab Environmental Quality Standards.
The law empowers the EPA to issue directions to any motor vehicle or class of vehicles to install such pollution control devices or other equipment or use such fuels or undergo such maintenance or testing as may be prescribed. No vehicle is allowed to exhaust emission beyond permissible limits and the EPA is authorised to take action and impose administrative penalties for such violations.
