Administration accelerates industrial relocation plan to curb pollution: commissioner

FAISALABAD, Mar 07 (APP):Divisional Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar said that process of shifting industries out of city limits has been accelerated in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz as 111 industrial units causing water and air pollution would be relocated in the first phase.
He was addressing a meeting held with President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) and office-bearers of various business associations who called on him to discuss the industrial relocation plan and related matters.
The divisional commissioner welcomed the support extended by business associations so far and emphasized that collective efforts of government and industrial sector were imperative to ensure environmental improvement and sustainable industrial growth.
He said that the industries spread over one acre or more within city limits would be shifted outside the urban area and a total of 1,090.8 kanals of land would be required for their relocation.
He said that two industrial zones of at least 50 acres each were being proposed to accommodate the relocating units and facilitate smooth industrial operations.
He further said that large industries would also be encouraged to shift to Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development & Management Company (FIEDMC) zones where modern infrastructure and facilities were available for industrial expansion.
He informed the participants that a comprehensive charter of demand would soon be presented to the Government of Pakistan and Government of Punjab to seek necessary policy support for the relocation plan.
He said that recommendations would also be made to the government for provision of soft loans to industrialists for shifting non-movable machinery that could not easily be relocated due to technical reasons.
He said that Punjab government had already expressed its readiness to fully support the relocation initiative and assist in the development and rehabilitation of industrial zones to facilitate the transition.
He also informed the participants that assistance would be sought from the World Bank for implementing Pakistan’s first industrial relocation plan for reducing environmental pollution and improving urban living conditions.
Highlighting the impact of collective environmental measures, Divisional Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar said that during the last smog season the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained better for 40 days compared to the previous year, which reflected the joint efforts of traders, industrialists and the administration.
He added that shifting industrial boilers to biogas and the use of super seeders had significantly reduced incidents of crop residue burning.
President FCCI and representatives of APTPMA, sizing and other industrial associations assured the administration of their full cooperation in implementing the industrial relocation plan and supporting the government’s initiatives for environmental protection and sustainable industrial development.