Serious steps being taken for reducing air pollution in Kabul: HCCAP

KABUL (Pajhwok): High Commission on Controlling Air Pollution (HCCAP) on Thursday said the commission would take practical steps for reducing ai pollution in capital Kabul following president’s directions.

President Ashraf Ghani last week asked organs concerned to take serious action against those violating government’s recommendations for using purified fuel and filters for smoke reduction.

National Environment Protection Authority (NEPA) deputy head, Ezatullah Seddiqi, talking to a press conference here said that the government would take some emergency steps for reducing air pollution in Kabul city.

He said that four committees currently working for reducing air pollution and identifying the factors that contributed to the problem in Kabul city.

Kabul residents have periodical access to electricity and most of them use coal and wood for heating their homes.

However, Seddiqi said that those who think about alternative ways for heating can refer to NEPA who he added can suggest ways of 24 hour electricity access and inexpensive liquefied gas.

 He said that Petroleum Safety Department has recently started distribution of low price liquefied gas in 29 locations of Kabul city and people could get benefit of the opportunity.

Seddiqi stressed that owners of big residential buildings and traders use low quality of fuel for heating which he said was not acceptable for them.

Kabul police also directed its districts to prevent usage of polluting fuel.

However, Nasrat Rahimi, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) today in a press conference said that police would start action on the regard next Sunday and take those who violate the rules to justice.

mds