Web Desk:
The Quetta administration sealed 21 stone crushing plants, causing pollution and environmental issues on the directives of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The stone crushing plants located in Western, Eastern Bypass and Samali area have been closed under the EPA act 2012, the Secretary Environment Balochistan, Saboor Kakar told the daily Quetta Voice on Wednesday.
Over the years, dozens of stone crushing plants have been established in various suburbs of Quetta city with no check by the administration.
The plants were sealed in the presence of the special magistrate and the owners were directed to shift their machinery from plant locations to other areas. “These stone crushing plants are disastrous for human health”, Mr. Kakar mentioned while quoting environmentalists and health professionals in this regard.
The invisible dust created by stone crushing plants continues to create various diseases including asthma, Dr. Faiz Muhammad Kakar, a well-known environmentalist tells the daily Quetta Voice.
Clear off the sites and remove your machinery and structures, if any, within 10 days of issuance of this order, warned in a letter issued by the office of director-general EPA, Muhammad Jahangir Khan Kakar. Machinery would be confiscated by the administration, if it was not removed from the site within stipulated period, Mr. Kakar warned through the letter.
“For human lives, these plants are hazardous and they must be sealed”, Faiz Kakar said.
Sealing of these stone crushing plants have been one of the longstanding demands of citizens of Quetta. However, masses have also urged upon the authorities to make sure the provision of alternative locations for stone crushing plants since the employment of thousands of people was linked with it.
