Ahmed Farooq
Recently the Punjab government has been harping about the serious consequences of air borne dust that causes Silicosis, Lung Cancer and Tuberculosis in Public Service Messages broadcasted over National Social Media. Construction and modification work of existing infrastructure is no doubt very important. On contrary it is often observed that in our country (Mumlikat-e-Khudadad) public and environmental protection is always ignored. The general public has to pay a huge price for these government’s ill planned projects in terms of infections to physical injury and at times deaths. Recently restoration work of Airport road has been started, and as a result it has raised the level of air borne dust and pollutants due to the construction work. The extent of suspended dust spans as far as 300 meters across and may travel farther with the prevalent wind directions. It has not made the environment messy but made the life of elderly and children miserable, and especially of those who are suffering from Asthma and Cardio Bronchial ailments. At least the government should pay respect to its own public service messages and if it is not able to provide relief to the country it should not take away the right of clean air. Lastly the government and the construction company should follow the Public Safety norms internationally being followed.
Following Map depicts the extant of suffering from the construction work at Air Port Road.
