Smog led to unhealthy level of pollution in border villages

Ferozepur, November 13, 2017: Despite continuous smog attack of the unhealthy level of pollution in border villages, the people were seen moving outside in the border town Gatti Rajo Ke in the private auto – know as Ghruka – which can accommodate even up to 25 passengers.

On asking the few passengers, one said, I had to go to the city to meet one of the relatives down with dengue. While the other one said, I had gone to purchase some goods in view of marriage of a daughter next week.  Rests of the passengers were complaining about having no arrangements for local bus service during this chilly day and we have no alternative except to board this auto.

Lachhman Singh a farmer of the border village said, the government must be serious about making arrangements for the residue of crops if its burning has to be stopped otherwise the situation is going to be worst so far as health conditions of the people of the area are concerned. People of the area have started complaining of breathlessness and skin problems due to smog and soot particles have led to the unhealthy level of pollution.

On the other hand, the pollution in the state due to stubble burning mixed with fog has created a killer smog taking lives on the roads; the issue has taken the political turn with regard to non-making of alternative arrangements for the management of crop residues.

The schools have been closed down for few days in few districts as a precautionary measure to avoid accidents of schools buses on the roads, the holidays in Ferozepur has not been extended despite poor visibility in the morning like four days back.

Certain farmers were seen burning the stubble in the fields polluting the atmosphere in violation of the instructions on the subject.

The mere imposing penalty would not suffice, the government must suitable compensate the farmers for the expenses to be incurred on alternative methods of disposing of crop residue, said Balbir Singh a small farmer of the area.