Climate Change Division to review EIA report on Pindi Metro Bus Service

[Salman]

Climate Change Division to review EIA report on Pindi Metro Bus Service

Islamabad: Climate Change Division would review Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report of multi-billion Metro Bus Service before initiation of the construction work for Islamabad section.

An official of the Climate Change Division said some quarters have been constantly leveling allegations that scores of young and old trees, especially pine trees, may be uprooted to establish a separate track for the Metro Bus so it is necessary to review the project with regard to its environmental impacts.

It is pertinent to mention here that the possible harm to the green character of Islamabad as a result of the ambitious Rs38 billion Metro Bus Service Project has also caught the attention of the Supreme Court.

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) leader Mushahid Hussain Sayed was of the view that he strongly supported the dire need for a mass transit system in Islamabad but at the same time he was worried about the impact of such a project on the natural beauty and environment of the federal capital.

The Punjab government launched the Rawalpindi section of Metro Bus Project on March 27, but surprisingly the public hearing for its EIA report was scheduled to be held on March 28. The CDWP also directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to get EIA report before proceeding further in the Metro Bus Service Project.

The official said Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) is also currently engaged in the process to evaluate the project from all aspects especially air, water and noise pollution and other departments are also doing required work to ensure the project never causes any adverse effects on the natural environment.