New industrial area planned

ISLAMABAD - Capital Development Authority (CDA) has finally woken up to the call of Islamabad residents by deciding to shift the pollution-emitting industries from sectors I-9 and I-10 to Sector I-17. For that purpose, a new industrial estate would be developed in Sector I-17 on priority basis to get rid of the industries emitting hazardous effluents in the heart of the Capital, a senior official of the Authority informed. In this connection, a high-level meeting was held a few days ago between the CDA and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) after which Chairman CDA directed the Planning Wing of the Authority to immediately start work on preparation of layout plan for the sector, the official added. He further informed that both the bodies agreed in principle that the pollution-emitting industries in I-9 and I-10 would be shifted to the new industrial estate while the remaining industries would be left to their choice. The official, has a major role in preparation of the layout plan, said that I-17 would be developed as per international standards with provision of all basic facilities like restaurants, clubs, welfare centre and the like. The CDA, however, faced difficulties in keeping its word with the Environment Ministry, as the Senate Standing Committee on Environment had raised objection to development of industrial estate in I-17, fearing environment deterioration in the newly developed sectors I-15 and I-16. The official, however, said that CDA would address reservations of the committee by forcing the industrialists to install pollution absorbers. The ICCI, too, was opposing immediate shifting of the existing industries rather demanded five years time for the purpose. When contacted, DG Pak-EPA Asif Shuja said they asked the CDA to announce a package of incentives for the industrialists to shift their industries, especially the steel furnaces. In the meanwhile, he added, We are closely monitoring the I-9 and I-10 industries through random testing and have compelled them to improve scrape quality and install wet scrubbers to lessen the hazardous smokes. Cases against two industries have also been instituted in Environmental Tribunal Lahore, he informed.