Harmful factory

The installation of a cement factory in the vicinity of the Margalla Hills was halted after residents took prompt action and approached the Supreme Court to register their complaints. The residents are of the view that waste from the factory will lead to adverse environmental impacts. However, it is incomprehensible how the same factory is now being set up in a village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The authorities haven’t considered the adverse environmental impacts of the cement manufacturing industry. The emission of harmful gases and the release of other harmful matter have taken a toll on the health of people. These pollutants are causing serious diseases such as uncontrollable respiratory tract infection, gastrointestinal tract infection by inhaling dust, vision complications and asthma attack. These harmful emissions from cement factory are not only hazardous to human health, but also cause acid rains and reduce crop productivity.

Harmful emissions from the factory will pollute the atmosphere of villages: Zormandi, Sherkhana, Khurkai, Ghazibaba, Kohi and Sarobi. It must be mentioned that the Swat Expressway will also pass through the village and around 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles will be using it on a daily basis. This will further increase the level of air pollution and the people will have no other choice except to adopt preventive measures such as wearing masks, vaccination against pneumonia and other respiratory ailments and certainly which are beyond the reach of these poor people. These people desperately need a tehsil level hospital where minor surgeries could be done. Does the Imran Khan-led PTI government in KP know the problems that the people of remote villages face on a daily basis? It is hoped that the authorities concerned will look into this matter and ensure that the factory is not established near residential areas.

Professor Engr Abdul Jabbar

Peshawar