Affecting human and animals, air and noise pollution of twin cities is aggravating with every passing day because of the ongoing construction work on various roads.
According to a senior official within the Federal Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPAs) air pollution in Islamabad was 72 microgrammes per cubic meter against the national standard level of 40 microgrammes per cubic meter.
“Around 3,000 trees have been smashed during the construction work of the Metro bus project,” another official of the agency reportedly said.
Citizens of Rawalpindi are also worried about air and noise pollution caused by the said project saying that every day it is a challenge for them to go out because of this dust and noise. They urged the law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies to pay attention to the problem for the betterment of the passengers and nearby areas.
However, on the other side constructers claimed that they are regularly watering areas where construction is ongoing, so that fewer dust particles rise.
It has also been learnt that the citizens also worried about the noise caused by traffic jam at the road sides where construction work is ongoing. The daily noise and air pollution is extremely higher than the NEQS (Nation Environmental Quality Standards) permissible limit under the Pakistan Environment Programme.
The facts of increasing noise pollution can be gauged by the study of the Federal Environment Protection Agency that revealed, among eight noise measurement locations in the twin cities, the daily maximum and equivalents were higher than the permissible limit of 85dB of NEQS for motor vehicle noise at 7.5 meters from the source.
The study also informed, the daily minimum noise level at all locations is more than 60dB which clearly reflects the gravity of the problem on the roads of the major cities of Pakistan.
The second highest noisy location was spotted near Churr Chowk, on Peshawar Road in Rawalpindi, where the daily maximum level was 97dB. Bank Road in Sadar and Melody Road Aabpara Chowk were found less noisy locations. At these locations, the daily equivalent noise levels were within the permissible limits of NEQS.
For comparison, from the WHO list on air pollution, Rawalpindi has a pollution of 448 microgrammes per cubic meter for PM 10, and 107 microgrammes per cubic meter for PM 2.5.
From the same list, Pakistan has an average of 282 ug/m3 for PM 10 and 101 ug/m3 for PM 2.5.
I don't think Islamabad has anything to worry about. Infact, Rawalpindi is the one in dire straits, and Metro Bus BRT will help in reducing Air Pollution.
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