Rawalpindi traffic police intensifies drive against smoke-emitting vehicles

RAWALPINDI: In a determined attempt to fight the rising menace of environmental pollution and smog, Rawalpindi City Traffic Police has initiated an extensive crackdown on vehicles emitting harmful smoke.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Taimoor Khan, in a statement released on Wednesday, declared a strict ban on smoke-emitting vehicles entering the city. Substantial fines will be levied on vehicles found emitting smoke within city limits. Special enforcement teams have been deployed on both inner and outer city routes to ensure stringent implementation of this prohibition.

This crackdown isn’t limited to smoke-emitting vehicles alone. The operation will also target vehicles lacking proper coverings such as tarpaulins, dumpers, trolleys, and other loaders. These vehicles, often overloaded, significantly contribute to pollution.

Recent findings indicate that a staggering eighty-three percent of smog is caused by smoke-emitting vehicles. Smog, a grave health hazard, poses particular risks to vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues.

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To combat this alarming situation, CTO Rawalpindi has established a dedicated smog squad. This team will patrol the city streets, ensuring strict adherence to anti-smoke regulations and issuing fines to violators.

In a bid to curb smog, residents are urged to minimize vehicle usage whenever possible. If driving is unavoidable, it is essential to maintain vehicles properly and ensure they do not emit smoke.

Additionally, individuals can reduce their exposure to smog by staying indoors on days when air quality is poor.

The proactive stance taken by Rawalpindi City Traffic Police against smoke-emitting vehicles has been widely lauded.

This decisive action underscores the importance of addressing air pollution and safeguarding the health of the city’s residents.