Smog due to stubble burning leads to pileup in Karnal

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 7

Around 25 vehicles met with accidents due to smog at various places in the district today, resulting in a death and injuries to around 12 persons. The deceased has been identified as Rakesh Kumar (25), a resident of Kalka. He was going towards Himachal Pradesh when near Nilokheri his vehicle collided with another vehicle in wee hours, said Harvinder Singh, SHO, Butana.

In anther incident, more than 10 vehicles were involved in a pileup near Nilokheri this morning. Injured Yograj, a resident of Jalandhar, said he along with his father Rishipal was going towards Delhi. There was dense smog and low visibility. The vehicle moving ahead of them suddenly applied brakes and their vehicle collided with it, resulting in injuries to both. Two students were injured when an auto-rickshaw they were travelling in collided with a truck.

The Butana SHO said due to dense smog and negligence of some drivers, several vehicles got piled up. The police had to work hard to streamline traffic.

The SHO, Highway, Gaurav Punia, said seven vehicles pilled up on the highway near Sector 3 when a roadways bus driver applied brakes suddenly. Eight persons received minor injuries but they left for their destinations after first aid, he added.

Experts say smog due to smoke caused by stubble burning and fog have reduced visibility to very low. Besides, it is also causing irritation in eyes and is affecting the respiratory system and skin. Dr S. Singhal, skin expert at the KCGMCH, says particles in smog cause skin problems. He has urged people to keep their body covered and also apply moisturiser on exposed parts.

Dr Yogesh Sharma, Civil Surgeon and an eye expert, says particles in smog cause redness and irritation in eyes, so people should wash their eyes with water at regular intervals. If irritation persists, consult a doctor, he adds.

Dr Surinder Kashyap, Director, KCGMCH, who is also a chest expert, says patients with asthma, bronchitis and respiratory allergy should take precautions as the early arrival of the winter with smog can affect their respiratory system. Elderly people, children and those suffering from diseases related to the respiratory system should avoid morning walk.

Villager dies in accident

Hisar: Low visibility due to prevailing smog claimed one life while around 30 persons, including 15 schoolchildren, were injured in road mishaps in Hisar district on Tuesday. Dense fog also affected public transport as trains and Haryana Roadways buses ran behind schedule in the region. A resident of Bajina village in the district died when he was hit by a vehicle near Hansi town. In another incident, an SUV rammed into a school van on the national highway-9 near Hansi, resulting in injuries to 15 schoolchildren.

A Haryana Roadways bus overturned as it went off road due to low visibility near Gagankheri village on the Hansi-Jind road. Around 15 passengers were injured, including three critically, in the mishap. The seriously injured were referred to a hospital in Hisar. Other injured persons were admitted to hospitals in Hansi. TNS

Govt acts tough; books 227 farmers 

Chandigarh: In view of orders issued by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, the Environment Department has taken a tough stance on cases of stubble burning. The Pollution Control Board has started a campaign. 

• Till now, a total of 1,011 farmers have been identified across the state. The department has filed police cases and imposed fine on them. Environment Minister Vipul Goyal has appealed to farmers not to burn crop waste. He said the government had been following orders of the Supreme Court. He said 963 cases were reported till November 4 and 48 the next day.
• He said FIRs had been filed against 227 farmers. He said Rs 11,89,500 had been recovered as fine from 454 farmers. He said other cases were being probed.
• Goyal said burning crop waste was not a solution. The government had given many other options to farmers to destroy stubble.
• The minister said burning crop residue was harmful to the environment. It affected the environment and reduced fertility of land.